Johannesburg, 22 Aug 2002
"Despite considering that last year 591 000 laptops were stolen in the US alone, many potential purchasers of laptops are undeterred by the security factor," says Terry Morrison, director of security technology company, Biothentix (Pty) Ltd.
"In SA, theft of laptops is commonplace," continues Morrison. "Of even more concern is the very real possibility of commercial or industrial espionage through confidential information strategic to the success of a business falling into the wrong hands."
Annual worldwide sales growth of laptop computers over the next few years is expected to remain in the 7% to 10% bracket - about 20 million units a year. "The world market is huge with 50 million laptops less than three years old and 20 million new units coming into the market every year," says Morrison.
"The value of the data contained on stolen units is immeasurable. To address the importance that informed consumers place on their data, Biothentix is introducing a new security system for laptops in the form of an anti-theft PC card that provides a simple add-on solution for new and existing laptops.
"Our product provides robust security with user convenience to protect the laptop itself from theft as well as the confidential information that is stored on it. The technology is based on micro-machined motion sensors integrated with a special software program to analyse motion, determine whether a threat exists and then implement an appropriate response," says Morrison.
"It offers three levels of protection: There is an alarm for deterrence, a 16-digit alphanumeric password to protect the operating system and an industry-standard encryption device that secures encryption keys on the card and protects the data. In short, it is capable of turning the laptop into a brick in the right circumstances."
Morrison adds that no product on its own will completely eradicate theft because of the human element. "Management must also take responsibility by developing a laptop security policy and safe practice guidelines; identifying laptop assets with tamper-proof tags; adopting appropriate physical security measures; implementing backup procedures for laptop users both locally and remotely; and adopting user encryption technology."
The Caveo anti-theft PC card is completely self-sufficient, containing a motion sensor, processor, secure storage, alarm and a rechargeable battery. It works whether the laptop is on or off and the entire application is transparent to the user.
"The objective of the product is to deter theft. If it is moved when it is armed, it sounds an alert and issues warning sounds. The user sets the area within which the laptop will be mobile. Should the laptop be moved a greater distance, the system assumes theft is taking place and then sounds an alarm, shuts the computer down, prevents any start-up action and secures the encryption keys."
Morrison adds that this security approach makes it extremely difficult for thieves to get away with a laptop and even more difficult for them to sell it: "By limiting the prospects of earning a profit from the theft, thieves tend to look elsewhere for softer, easier targets."
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