The other 67% remain in the airport awhile before being disposed of, meaning there are "potentially millions of files containing sensitive or confidential data that may be accessible to a large number of airport employees and contractors," the study reports.More than 53% of business travelers say their laptops contain confidential or sensitive information, but 65% of these people admit they don't take steps to protect it. Yet the average business cost when confidential personal information is lost or stolen is $197 per record, according to another Ponemon study. (more)
A full copy of the report can be found here. (pdf)
What do you think happens to laptops left at the airport?
Could they fall into the hands of professional snoops?
"The TSA turns it over to state surplus property agencies, which tend to sell it online or at retail stores."
Let's dig further. We'll pick Texas, a big state with several major airports (7 to be exact). They have several method of disposal...
• Online auctions at www.lonestarauctioneers.com and www.bandiauctions.com
• 3 live on-line auctions a year.
• eBay under seller name texasstatesurplus.
• At their walk-in stores.
(Texas Surplus Brochure)
It would not be difficult for business spies to track property disposal auctions from every airport.
Solutions... Crypt your disk. Install theft reporting software. Engrave "Reward if found and returned..." on the bottom.