XXX DEVICE PROTECTION
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“A LITTLE INITIAL INVESTMENT IN SECURITY MEASURES CAN CONSIDERABLY REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF COSTLY DEVICE REPLACEMENTS OR PROLONGED DOWNTIME.”
THE HYBRID CHALLENGE The pandemic normalised flexible working. While it brought freedom, it also introduced a host of new vulnerabilities: • Increased theft risk outside secure offices (35%). • Greater exposure to unsecured home networks (34%). • “Visual hacking” - sensitive data being read off screens in public places (23%). • Difficulty enforcing consistent policies remotely (32%). In this context, security locks are more than just deterrents in offices. They’re practical, portable safeguards that travel with staff, offering reassurance whether a laptop is in a co-working hub, hotel lobby, or open-plan office. As one IT leader in the study put it: “It is the easiest way to make sure that our devices are under literal lock and key. It makes it so that we know everything is safe and secure.” CLOSING THE AWARENESS GAP Interestingly, the survey revealed a gap between how senior leaders and mid-level managers perceive risk. While 56% of executives saw locks as “extremely cost- effective,” only 36% of mid-level managers agreed. This disconnect matters. Senior leaders may worry By embedding physical security into company culture - alongside digital safeguards - businesses can ensure that everyone understands the importance of protecting devices at every level. PRACTICAL STEPS FOR BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS So, what can organisations (and individuals) do to reduce risks right now? Here are some straightforward measures: 1. Invest in locks for all devices – not just laptops, but desktops, servers, tablets, and external drives. 2. Pair physical with digital security – combine locks with encryption, two-factor authentication, and secure cloud storage. 3. Educate employees – raise awareness about risks like visual hacking and the importance of not leaving devices unattended. 4. Review policies for hybrid working – ensure remote workers are supported with the right security tools. 5. Lead by example – senior management should model good practices to reinforce their value. about regulatory fines and reputation damage, while managers feel the day-to-day impact of lost devices and downtime. Both perspectives are valid, and bridging the gap with training and awareness is essential.
The financial impact is staggering. IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report puts the global average cost of a breach at $4.88 million - a 10% increase from the previous year. For small and mid-sized businesses, even a fraction of this can be crippling. WHY PHYSICAL SECURITY DESERVES A SEAT AT THE TABLE When people think of data protection, their minds jump to firewalls, encryption, or cloud backups. Yet the survey found that physical risks are just as pressing - and often easier to solve. Consider: • Organisations using security locks were 37% less likely to suffer a data breach caused by an unsecured device. • Almost all IT leaders (97%) agreed that locks prevent theft and reduce the chance of sensitive data falling into the wrong hands. • 84% described locks as cost-effective, with senior executives especially likely to value them highly. And the cost? Depending on the model, a reliable laptop lock averages just £24–£40 per device. Compare that with multi- million-pound breach costs, and it is clear why locks are a smart investment. < continued from overleaf
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