Data Encryption Software: University Of Toledo Has Computer Theft, Files Encrypted
According to the toledoblade.com, the University of Toledo (UT) experienced a computer theft that could have meant the breach of personal information for 24,000 students and 450 faculty members. Thankfully, files on the computer were protected using data encryption software--something similar to AlertBoot, I imagine--although, it's not known whether all files were protected.
Practicing Correct Data Security
As mentioned before, the computer employed file encryption. I'd like to point out that this was on top of the fact that the office where the computer was stolen from was locked. There were signs that a crowbar was used to gain entry into the administrative office that was housing the computer.
Plus, it looks like the university also installed tracking software. According to the article: "The university has identified the machine and is tracing it to be notified if it tries to log into the UT network..."
Of course, tracking software doesn't really provide data security--it allows one to recover the machine. However, I'd say it's one more indication that the university does take data security seriously: most organizations tend to be under the impression that a locked door is adequate security.
Also, UT will be launching software that crawls its networks to see if personal information is saved locally. Saving information locally is less secure than saving it on a protected network.
Just A Little Bit More
The only problem I can see here is that there is no guarantee that all the files with sensitive information were protected. Because file encryption protects individual files, there is the possibility that there are sensitive files that were not encrypted as well--a common oversight. The use of a total encryption solution like full disk encryption would allay such fears, since anything residing on the disk itself would be encrypted, be it files with personal information or a free computer game downloaded from the net.
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http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090316/NEWS04/903160231
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