PC Guardian Quarterly, Winter 2006, Volume II
ELECTION RESULTS IMPACT ON IT ISSUES
With the recent rise in high profile computer and data thefts, many occurring in the government sector, there is more pressure than ever on Congress to enact federal legislation that further protects consumers in case of data breaches. InformationWeek e-zine recently released an enlightening analysis on how November's election will shape this and many more key IT issues.

Now that we know the results of this year's election, we have a better idea of how pending legislation could reshape the requirements of businesses to secure data and respond in case of a breach. Check out the InformationWeek article for detailed information.

Many observers argue that federal legislation is needed to compensate for the array of state rules passed so far. The Electronic Transactions Association (ETA) compiles a list of data breach laws per state. The summary is available for download on the ETA website.

COMPUTER SECURITY CHECKLIST

Ever wonder if you are covering your bases on basic computer security in your organization? Assuming CPAs are as meticulous as their reputations suggest, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) has developed a checklist to make sure you (or your IT administrator) are addressing basic computer security needs in your organization.

AICPA's “Computer Security Checklist” (available for free download) is a basic guide designed to assist CPAs in dealing with computer security in their organizations and those of their clients. The checklist addresses physical security in computer rooms and workstations, communications security, data security, software integrity, operations security, and system recovery.


PC GUARDIAN SPEAKS ABOUT PHYSICAL SECURITY AT THE API CONFERENCE

PC Guardian was proud to be a speaker at this year's Security Manager Conference held by the American Petroleum Institute (API). The conference included top industry experts and covered the growing issues surrounding the responsibilities of security managers and industry professionals to manage and implement both computers and digital asset security.

As part of the industry panel on security, PC Guardian presented an industry-wide overview of the state of physical computer security and provided a clear methodology to aid companies in determining and implementing their physical computer security solutions. The topics included multi-layered security applications and implementations, protection of physical property and data, as well as the “Who, What and How” of physical security: “WHO are the internal and external threats, WHAT is the organization trying to protect, and HOW do you determine your specific needs?” Members departed with an actionable plan concerning how to approach computer security within their own organizations.

The API represents over 400 members from all aspects of the oil and natural gas industry across the United States. The conference was held at the worldwide headquarters of Conoco/Philips in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

With 25 years of industry expertise, PC Guardian can transform the often daunting task of computer security into a simple step-by-step process. PC Guardian makes the delve into computer security straight-forward and simple for all businesses, regardless of size and industry. Contact us to learn more.

STEPS TO TAKE WHEN A LAPTOP IS STOLEN

It happens to the best IT managers. Even if all the precautions and procedures are followed to the letter, a laptop is always at risk, especially if it travels off the organization's premises. Cars or hotel rooms get broken into, items are snatched in public places… you name it. In the unlucky event that your organization experiences a laptop theft, what should you do first? After the “I should've used PC Guardian” 20/20 hindsight, there are some things you can do right away that can minimize the damage.

A mix of common sense and precaution could minimize negative exposure in the event of a computer loss. Kevin Beaver of SearchMobileComputing.com recently wrote an informative article on First Aid kinds of steps that an IT manager can take, should a laptop leave the farm. Among these are:
  1. Contact local law enforcement
  2. Notify your compliance officer, marketing, PR legal counsel and any other party with a vested interest so they can prepare responses such as media inquiries and customer notification
  3. Look at recent backups of the system to determine what was likely to have been lost or stolen
  4. Change any WEP or WPA/WPA2 pre-shared key on your wireless network to keep the thief from accessing your network
  5. Change the user's network, email, web, database or other application passwords to prevent any unauthorized system use and abuse
  6. Change any other user or administrator passwords
  7. Hope for the best! Maybe the stolen computer wasn't breached. There's a small chance that it was instead reformatted and sold for cash, or that it may soon be returned.

COMPUTER RECYCLING: OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW

PC Guardian products have a lifetime warranty, but computers never do. What can businesses do to make room for the 153 million computers that the reasearch company Gartner says will be replaced this year? The “Rethink” initiative, spearheaded by eBay, brings together public and private organizations to promote recycling and reuse of old PCs. Their ideas: sell, recycle, donate, or organize.

Not only do IT managers have to think about what new equipment to procure and when, but they also must consider how to dispose of old machines. EBay's “Rethink” initiative is an invaluable resource for anybody looking to make room for their shiny new machines while minimizing environmental impact and possibly helping those in need. Here at PC Guardian, we prefer to donate our old machines, but if that's not possible, there are plenty of places to recycle. If your organization wants to turn old machines into cash, many companies will help you sell your machines, or if you want to stay local and organize a local recycling program or learn about ones in your area, Rethink includes the tools and resources to help.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is partnering with eBay partners, and provides additional resources. Hats off to eBay and its partners for doing their part for a cleaner world!

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LAST CHANCE: ULTRA PRODUCTS AT THE SAME PRICE AS CLASSIC
Time is running out on our special pricing: Purchase any of PC Guardian's Ultra products through December 31st for the same price as our Classic cables (restrictions apply). The Ultra cable offers nearly 60% more braided steel strands and 40% more pull strength than industry standards.

COMING SOON
Several new products will be available the first quarter of 2007. The PC Guardian Ezolution™ Combolock and ComboGenie provides the computer industry's first Master Key capability in a combination lock. The new USB Lock prevents theft of data through USB ports.

ARTICLES
Protected: Be Informed About Computer Security(PDF 1.2MB)

InformationWeek Analysis: U.S. Elections Will Shape Many Key IT Issues

ETA List of Data Breaches (PDF download)

AICPA: Computer Security Checklist

SearchMobileComputing.com: What to do when a laptop is lost or stolen