The Human Factor in Laptop Encryption

The research findings show that business managers continue to not take the necessary precautions to secure their laptops, such as using additional security solutions, and instead are overly dependent on their encryption solutions to protect the sensitive data on their laptops. For companies relying solely on encryption, they cannot be sure whether the stored data has been encrypted, if it has been compromised, or even which files have been accessed. Corporations not using a layered approach to security are left with gaping holes - exposing the company, employees, customers and consumers at risk for data and identity theft.

"The Human Factor in Laptop Encryption - US" key findings include:

• 95% of IT practitioners report that someone in their organization has had a laptop lost or stolen and 72% report that it resulted in a data breach. Only 44% report that the organization was able to prove the contents were encrypted.
• 33% of IT practitioners believe encryption makes it unnecessary to use other security measures, whereas 58% of business managers believe this to be the case.
• 62% of business managers surveyed strongly agree and agree that encryption stops cyber criminals from stealing data on laptops versus 46% of IT practitioners who strongly agree or agree.
• 36% of business managers surveyed record their encryption password on a private document such as a post-it note to jog their memory or share the key with other individuals. Virtually none of the IT practitioners record their password on a private document or share it with another person.
• 60% of business managers have disengaged their laptop’s encryption solution and 48% admit this is in violation of their company’s security policy.
• 55% of business managers sometimes or often leave their laptop with a stranger when traveling.