Laptop Security - Abstract

Laptop security is an issue in the academic environment as much as it is in any other environment -- perhaps more so. We are charged with protecting confidential information in Student Records, in Human Resources, in medical records, in research conducted with human participants and more. Often times that information finds its way to the laptop. Recent scandals in the popular press involving lost or compromised laptops holding sensitive information should make us aware of the risks we are exposed to when we travel with our laptops. Unlike managed workstations in the workplace where there usually are support staff who take care of security, laptops are often self-managed systems that are rarely secured very well.

We discuss several practical security measures you should consider to better secure your laptop. We also offer some best practices for researchers who manage sensitive information in their work. Our focus will be on the Windows environment -- Windows XP in particular with some comments on Windows Vista.

This paper was prepared for presentation at CANHEIT 2007, May 27-30.

(by) Reg Quinton, Information Systems and Technology
2007/02/16-2007/08/31