Holiday Checklist - suncream...beach towel....sensitive corporate data?

July 21, 2010

Are you taking sensitive data with you on holiday? Chances are that you, or a colleague, is risking the security of corporate information by using business laptops while away on holiday.

Research by Generator Hotel has found that 54% of travellers surveyed have work documents and sensitive data on a laptop they take on holiday. It was revealed that half of those people do so because they are worried about leaving their laptops at home in case of theft.

Yet theft is more likely while away, with risks from lost luggage, hotel rooms or even beaches much greater.
The research also highlighted that nearly two thirds (65 percent) of holidaymakers said they'd be more concerned if they lost their passport, rather than their laptop, while travelling.

Eric Van Dijk, managing director at Generator Hostels, said: "Travellers need to be more aware of the potential data security breaches they risk by logging onto unsecure networks while travelling. Dijik warned travellers to and only use secure networks based in their accommodation or at recommended local Internet cafes.

"While we don't suggest you should let work spoil your holiday, we wouldn't want any of our guests getting into hot water with their boss by having to tell them they've lost corporate data at the end of a trip."

With many holidaymakers determined to take a laptop with them to keep in touch or remained entertained - and often using the company machine - it is essential to put into place security measures to help maximise security and reduce risk.

Encryption will help ensure that if the laptop is lost, the data remains secure. Using a SSL-VPN Remote Access solution, especially combined with Two Factor Authentication, will ensure that employees can access corporate resources in an emergency without any risk - from a laptop or even internet cafe. Finally, running the latest anti-virus solution can help ensure that the machine is running well and 'clean'.