As if we needed another reason to avoid business travel.  A recent study done by the Ponemon Institute (a for-profit research organization which specializes in the privacy industry) noted that 12,000 laptop computers go missing weekly at United States Airports, with 67% of those computers never being reclaimed by their owner.  That is a whopping 804 laptops a week sitting around at airports waiting to be used by whomever!

The loss of the hardware is one thing; but the bigger issue is the loss of sensitive files that practically anyone can access.  Since roughly half of business travelers bring their laptops with them on the plane, you would think that they would at the very least password-protect them.  Unfortunately, the study also found that 65% of business travelers do not password-protect their computers. Consequently, all personal and corporate files are open and available to anyone who wishes to view them.  Talk about a security risk!

Owen Wild, professional blogger and business traveler at Inc.com, passes on some helpful hints to making sure your laptop survives the airport. 

1. Don’t bring it!
2. Keep your eye on it – according to the study over 40% of laptops are lost at the security checkpoint.
3. Lock it up.
4. Put it in a case.
5. Password-Protect it.

Even though these tips will help some absentminded business travels monitor their computer, they will by no means eradicate the issue.  The good news is that there is one last business travel tip that will protect your laptop 100% from absentminded employees and thieves…you guessed it, Video Conferencing.

Video Conferencing allows you to go to meetings without the costly hassle of airports – ergo you keep your laptop and its sensitive data files all to yourself!  With today’s affordable immersive HD video conferencing, you can truly do business throughout the world from the comfort of your own office or boardroom.  Now that is some GREAT news for business travelers.

You can view Owen Wild’s blog and the Ponemon Institute’s study article online at: http://blog.inc.com/business-travel/2008/09/tips_for_hanging_onto_that_lap.html

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