As the notebooks tend to outsell desktops, their loss or theft become more and more common. According to a study sponsored by Intel Corp., the cost of a lost or stolen laptop could be as high as $115 thousand. Intel, which microprocessors power the vast majority of laptops, suggests that in an era where “the office” can be almost anywhere, good security precautions are essential.

“For a rapidly growing number of workers, desktop computers have given way to notebooks, rewarding users with the increased productivity and freedom that mobility affords. As this trend continues, the study suggests that companies need to be increasingly vigilant that their security systems are up for the job,” said Mooly Eden, vice president and general manager of mobile platforms group at Intel.

Enterprise May Lose Up to $115 Thousand on Missing Notebook

The study, which was conducted by the Ponemon Institute, calculated that notebooks lost or stolen in airports, taxis and hotels around the world cost their corporate owners an average of $49 246, reflecting the value of the enclosed data above the cost of the PC.

Analyzing 138 instances of lost and stolen notebooks, the study based the $49,246 price tag on costs associated with replacement, detection, forensics, data breach, lost intellectual property, lost productivity, and legal, consulting and regulatory expenses. Data breach alone represents 80% of the cost.

The study also shows that how quickly a company learns of the missing notebook plays heavily in the eventual cost. The average cost if the notebook is discovered missing the same day is $8950, according to the study. After more than one week, this figure can reach as high as $115 849.

Who owns a missing notebook also plays an important role in the cost. Surprisingly, it is not the CEO's computer that is the most valued, but a director or manager. A senior executive’s notebook is valued at $28 449, while a director or manager’s notebook is worth $60 781 and $61 040, respectively.

“This is the first study to benchmark the full cost of a lost or stolen notebook. Some of the results are startling to say the least, pointing to the sizable consequences associated with the loss of notebooks and, more importantly, the data inside them that companies must consider,” said Dr. Larry Ponemon, chairman and founder of the Ponemon Institute.

Data Encryption and Intel Anti-Theft Technology Can Help, But Not Completely

The study found that data encryption makes the most significant difference in the average cost: a lost notebook with an encrypted hard-disk drive is valued at $37 443, compared with $56 165 for a non-encrypted version.

“At Intel, providing adequate security not only requires development of effective technologies, such as Intel Anti-Theft Technology, but also collaboration with the leading providers of encryption, data-deletion and other security services to ensure comprehensive solutions,” said Mr. Eden.

Intel Anti-Theft Technology is a “poison pill” solution programmed into the PC that can be triggered by internal detection mechanisms or by a remote server to lock a lost or stolen notebook, rendering it completely useless. The technology can respond, for example, to repeated login failures or expiration of a timer that requires a notebook to periodically connect to a central server. Intel Anti-Theft Technology, which is available from a growing number of PC manufacturers, is frequently offered through companies that provide data-encryption or -deletion services.

But while the aforementioned technologies reduce the data loss risks, there are still other direct and indirect losses caused by missing notebooks. So, the best thing to do is still to keep your eyes open and not leave the notebook unattended.

Tags: Intel