Ten tips for school laptop security

Apr 18, 2006 12:29 PM

           

Here is a checklist of laptop security best practices that schools can adopt from John Livingston, CEO of Absolute Software. They include procedures that run from common sense to high tech solutions.
1. Use cable locks as visual deterrents. Truth be told, most cable locks can be ripped off the plastic exterior of a laptop with a strong tug. Cable locks are therefore akin to ink-filled garment security tags in clothing stores: they leave a mark when removed by force, but they are ineffective at preventing all thefts.
2. Avoid leaving unsecured laptops unattended. Lock them in cupboards, laptop carts or other secure facilities in schools or at home when not in use. If they must be left in a vehicle, they should be covered up or locked in the trunk.
3. Keep laptops inconspicuous on the street. Students carrying expensive laptops between home and school can become targets for bullies and thieves. Laptops should be carried in backpacks or school bags, instead of tell-tale laptop bags.
4. Change passwords regularly. Never leave your password in obvious places, such as a sticky note under your keyboard or on your desk.
5. Keep anti-virus software and firewalls installed and up-to-date. Prevent unauthorized access and protect valuable information with data encryption software.
6. Back-up valuable data on a scheduled basis. Data back-up needs to happen as frequently as required to minimize the risk to the organization in the event of loss.
7. Understand and explain the dangers of pirated software and file sharing. Regulatory compliance depends on proactive software license management. Both piracy and over-deployment of purchased licenses can lead to significant lawsuits or other financial penalties. And not only is it illegal, pirated software can increase susceptibility to viruses, Trojans and other attacks.
8. Educate and train teachers, employees, students and parents. Teachers require adequate training to understand how best to integrate technology into the curriculum. Support staff must be kept up to speed on hardware and software improvements. Students and parents must be taught why data security policies are important, as opposed to feeling intimidated by them.
9. Stay informed. Continue to educate yourself on the tools and techniques used today by cyber criminals as well as other security risks to company data.
10. Use asset tracking and recovery software. Laptop recovery tools are highly effective because thieves know that hardware is more valuable if they can prove it works. To do so, they inevitably turn the hardware on and connect to the Internet, at which point the software agent -- unbeknownst to the thief -- reports its location information, thus helping police recover the device.

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