Research finds users have blind faith in laptop security

~ Iron Mountain warns unsecured data and poor backup processes are leaving the door wide open to massive data loss ~

June 14, 2006 – Laptop users are ignoring the dangers of data loss in the false belief that their information is secure.

Research* by Iron Mountain Digital, the technology arm of Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE: IRM), found that almost two-thirds (62%) of laptop users believe their data is secure. However, less than 30% back up on a daily basis and only 36.5% said the data on their laptop was encrypted.

The company warns that this ‘fingers crossed’ approach to data security is leaving laptop users wide open to the risk of massive data loss. With the potential exposure to private information, the downtime associated with the loss of business critical information, and the adverse impact on the business, the cost implications of this are enormous.

“Laptop users are amongst those most at risk of data loss at a corporate level. They’re rarely in the office, often out on the road, or working from home, so their machines don’t get backed up as regularly as desktop users,” said Nick Cater, general manager for Northern Europe at Iron Mountain Digital. “With no encryption of data and minimal back up routines, users are putting themselves in danger of catastrophic data loss if they suffer a major technical problem or have their laptop stolen.”
“But, data loss doesn’t just affect the individual,” he continued. “Whole organisations can be damaged depending on the degree of data loss. It might be confidential sales figures, trade secrets or key contract information, which can have a detrimental effect on the brand value and impact the bottom line. Small businesses are at most risk as data loss could cripple their entire client-facing activities.”

(* Research undertaken at the InfoSecurity Europe show (April 2006) amongst 115 laptop users)