Computer anti-theft devices

Computer anti-theft devices can be found at any computer store that sells computer equpment. They come in a multitude of forms and functions. Some devices are more functional than others but essentially they are are all designed for physical restraint of hardware.

There are really three types of computer anti-theft devices available on the market today.

1. Physical lockdown devices like cabinets, locks and cables,
2. Alert systems that are triggered by software or physical devices
3. Tracking systems designed to locate a missing asset. (Although the tracking system is not really an anti-theft device, it certain deters the thief if he has taken the time to notice the tracking warning sticker attached to the device.)

Lets look at each computer anti-theft devices individually and evaluate strengths and weaknesses.

Computer anti theft devices that create a physical lockdown

These include cables, chains, bars, locks, boxes, cabinets and any other innovative device designed to prevent the thief from moving a computer. They are usually quite effective at stopping the casual thief who sees an opportunity and takes it. If the device is bolted down, then the casual thief will simply walk away and keep his eye open for another opportunity.

For the premeditated thief these types of computer anti theft devices are often rather simple to breach. A screw driver or a pair of pliers will often do the trick. Some devices are much more robust and require a larger cutter or a simple grinding tool that will cut through almost anything.

The insider unfortunately has time on his side. An employee can, over a long period of time, disable almost any physical computer anti theft device and then blame the theft on someone else.

The removal of a computer is not the only way to steal a computer. Removal or access to components is often a cause for concern. To address this computer anti theft device issue, there exists a category of component lockdown devices. These computer anti theft devices are designed to physically restrict access to the component. The most notorious component is the all encompasing USB port. These devices are designed to physically block access to the USB port by inserting a USB lock into the port. The are designed to prevent thumbsucking of DATA. Often they are rather easy to workaround.

One of the big weeknesses of all these lockdown devices is the unrestricted access to the internal workings of the computer. Theft of a hard drive, video card, memory chip or even a CPU is not uncommon. Employees sometimes replace those components with those of lesser value found on their home computer.

Computer anti theft devices that create an alert

These computer anti theft devices are in our opinion the most effective at theft prevention. They are designed to create an alert upon any type of breach. As an example, think of the laptops or digital cameras that are attached to an electronic cable at your local electronics store. If the computer is detached from the cable, an alarm sounds. This is a rather effectice way of preventing theft of the displayed computers. I guess it would be nice if the retailers could attacha cable to all the merchandise.

Most computer antit heft devices with an alert system involve a loud audible siren to alert nearby staff. One of the major disadvantages of these devices is that they are not effectice at protecting equipment when the thief has privacy. In the middle of the night, the thief has privacy! He can breach an alarm system and simply walk away with the computer. This is how most of the breakins happen. A thief enters the premises, the alarm sounds, he takes the computers he wants then leaves. The alarm helps reduce the number of compuers taken in the limited time span between the alarm ringing and the arrival of the police within 5 to 10 minutes (hopefully).

In three minutes, one thief can easily get two computers. A team of three thieves will easily get 10 to 15 computers. As they leave, the alarm continues to sound and fades away in the background.

We believe that the most effective way to create an alert is to have a device within the computer itself. Our CUDA card carries an ear-piercing 110 decible alarm powered by an on board battery. If a thief decides to tamper with a computer, the CUDA card starts ringing and continues ringing with the computer as it moves. At the same time the divice can be connected to the central alarm system to create a network wide alarm. The CUDA card is an input / output device designed so that we can either monitor external activity like the movement of PDA's or other valuable assets or monitor internal activity like the detection of light, motion, power, network connectivity, access to components or proximity.

The CUDA card is by far the most advanced and feature rich PCI card available and is in a category by itself in terms of computer anti theft devices.

Computer anti theft devices that track the location of an asset

Asset tracking is a very important deterrent to computer theft and is effective at recovering lost equipment. The concept is easy enough to understand. It involves installing a software and/or hardware that is activated every time a computer is turned on and connected to the internet. Asset tracking services can be very effective for recovering a computer but they offer little comfort for the company whose computer with the latest patent application has been stolen or the insurance company's computer with 35,000 Social Insurance Numbers or the Bank's computer with 75,000 credit card numbers. These companies may in fact state that data was encrypted, or remotely erased or the computer was disabled but the fact remains that the DATA left the secure premises and was in the hands of an unknown person.

The final issue always remains the same, Protection of DATA is the most important and the costliest consequence of a computer theft. If you cave a computer with any type of information that you would not leave openly on a conference table, I would suggest that you do all that is necessary to protect that computer. Do not hesitate to lock it down with a cable. Add an internal alarm system like the CUDA card and by all means make certain you can track the device if it is in fact stolen.