A laptop containing the private data of 300 people has been stolen during an armed robbery in a college parking lot. According to experts at InfoWatch, cryptography is the only method of dealing with the threats that information faces, including physical threats. If data is unencrypted, it cannot be secured.
The laptop containing private data on 300 employees at Belhaven College in the state of Mississippi was stolen in mid-July. It is believed that the robber got away with the Social Security numbers and names of administrative staff at the college.
All those affected have been informed about the theft. The college administration confirmed that notification was sent out on July 25. It was also revealed that the computer belonged to an auditing firm and had several layers of security. The college president hopes that this will prevent the thief from accessing the personal data.
The robbery at Belhaven happened about 6 p.m. on July 19, when a school employee was walking to his car after work. A man approached him from behind and took the employee's wallet and laptop computer before fleeing the scene.
All 300 staff members affected by the incident now face the risk of identity theft. Last year, according to the U.S. Postal Service, more than 9.9 million Americans were victims of identity theft totaling around $5 billion.
“Of course, no level of security will save people’s personal data if it isn’t encrypted. To prevent illegal use of data in the case of a leak, a laptop needs to have a special repository protected with the help of cryptography. It is the most convenient and reliable method. But drawing attention to yourself is something else – the laptop wasn’t just pinched when the owner turned his back, but was literally snatched from his hands. In other words, it is no longer enough to just be vigilant when carrying a laptop. It is essential to encrypt data. Either that, or hire a bodyguard,” warns Denis Zenkin, marketing director at InfoWatch.
Source: Clarionledger.com
