PC Guardian Press Release
 

North America's "October Surprise": Thefts

2.5 Million Personal Electronic Records Stolen in 2004 Due to Computer

November 1, 2004

San Rafael, CA, USA— All eyes have been on California's most recent "October Surprise" — a network hack that led to one of the largest known data security breaches on record.

In October, officials for the state apologized for an unauthorized exposure of Social Security Numbers and other personal records of more than 1.4 million University of California students. As a result, California's data security practices have been receiving close scrutiny.

"A great deal of focus has been given to California due to SB1386, a state law that requires reporting data security breaches," says enterprise computer security expert Noah Groth, president of PC Guardian Anti-Theft Products Inc. "However, computer and data thefts take place regularly around the country. PC Guardian tracks computer thefts year-round, and we've found dozens of thefts in the United States and Canada that have resulted in the exposure of nearly 2.5 million records," says Groth. "In every case, risk of data loss could have been reduced if the computers had been locked down using a computer cable lock."

For instance, in the last 12 months PC Guardian has identified the following thefts:

1. Officials for the Ohio Democratic Party announced the theft of three computers, including a server that contained the local party's financial information, names and personal phone numbers of hundreds of party members, candidates and volunteers.
2. The Republican Party campaign headquarters in Washington state announced the theft of three laptops with confidential Bush-Cheney campaign information.
3. Reynolds Cancer Support Center officials warned clients that a server containing personal health information was stolen from its Fort Smith, Ark., office.
4. A Lake Forest, Calif., direct mail marketing company reported the theft of a server containing personal financial records of more than 100,000 credit union customers in the western United States.
5. First Option Financial reported the theft of thousands of personal financial records when computers were stolen from its office in Houston, Texas.
6. Wells Fargo & Company lost more than 200,000 customer financial records when two laptops were stolen, one in California, the other in Texas.
7. Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), in Arlington, Virginia, reported the theft of computers containing financial data on thousands of customers from United Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, Delta Airlines and American Airlines.
8. Kern County Mental Health Office lost 110,000 personal Medicare records when a laptop was stolen from its Bakersfield, Calif. office.

Computer theft costs business and consumers more than $5 billion each year, according to Groth. PC Guardian Anti-Theft Products routinely helps large businesses and government agencies avoid the embarrassment of having to notify customers of a data security breaches by developing advanced computer security lockdowns.

"Our job is to give IT administrators the tools they need to protect their data, reduce the risks of data loss and avoid the costs associated with having the notify customers of a security breach," says Groth.

Since its founding 20 years ago, PC Guardian has developed more than 150 computer anti-theft solutions - more than any other computer security manufacturer.

PC Guardian's solutions include the following:

• The patented Notebook Guardian, which secures laptops, desktops, projectors and flat panel monitors and is the preferred security solution for more than 50 major corporations and agencies in the US.
• The Double Guardian, and the Notebook Guardian Expansion System. Each solution simultaneously protects more than one piece of equipment. The Expansion System secures virtually any equipment configuration.
• The dual-purpose CD-ROM and 3.5" Disc Drive Lock, which protects against unauthorized downloading of sensitive data, the installation of unauthorized computer programs and the use of company computers to create illegal copies of CDs or DVDs.

About PC Guardian
PC Guardian is a leading designer and manufacturer of computer and data security solutions for corporations, resellers and distributors. Protecting corporate assets with patented, award winning products since 1984, PC Guardian successfully serves a wide range of businesses, including many Fortune 1,000 companies, by solving their security needs and ensuring compliance through innovative products, quality, integrity, and commitment to exceptional service and results. For more information, product availability and distribution, please visit our website at www.pcguardian.com.