(BOSTON, Mass. - May 18, 2009 - IDTheftSecurity.com) Dan Yost, chief technology officer of the laptop computer security firm MyLaptopGPS, appeared on several news media outlets this month to discuss the impact of recent government laptop thefts in Oklahoma. Nearly 1.25 million unique data records on Oklahoma citizens went missing because of apparently lax security leading to the loss of two state mobile computers. In his various news media appearances since, Yost has noted the potentially catastrophic financial fallout of data losses such as these and stressed that the single most effective laptop theft deterrent is laptop tracking technology, which MyLaptopGPS provides in the form of Internet-based GPS.
"A mobile computer is stolen every 12 seconds, and now the State of Oklahoma has become a victim of this statistic more than once," said Yost, who invited readers to follow MyLaptopGPS' laptop computer security blog and laptop computer security posts at Twitter. "Every time a laptop computer containing citizens' information is stolen, the financial ramifications for the affected organization (this time, government) can be catastrophic. Just the cost to mail notification letters, for instance, can be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The alternative, installing proper laptop security technology on machines containing constituents' sensitive data, is inexpensive and money well spent"
Yost's expertise has been featured twice in CXO Europe. Furthermore, in December of 2008, he and widely televised and quoted identity theft expert Robert Siciliano co-delivered a presentation titled "Information in the Modern Age: Maintaining Privacy in an Era of Medical Record Identity Theft" at the 4th Annual World Healthcare Innovation & Technology Congress in Washington, D.C., where Former U.S. Congressman Newt Gingrich delivered the keynote address.
Reported in April, the loss of a total of two laptop computers belonging to the Oklahoma state government resulted in the attendant loss of close to 1.25 million unique data records on Oklahoma residents. First, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services revealed that a laptop containing highly sensitive information about approximately one million Oklahomans was stolen from an employee?s car. Then, the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency lost to thieves a mobile computer containing the private data of up to 225,000 Oklahomans.
Yost's response to these thefts in his company's home state appeared in news media outlets several times. With Rep. Jason Nelson and Rep. Jason Murphey, Yost also spoke at a related press conference at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Furthermore, in a letter to the editor of his that appeared in Tulsa World, Yost noted the role that laptop security technology could have played in preventing or greatly mitigating these thefts' impact.
Featured in Inc. Magazine and TechRepublic, MyLaptopGPS maintains the Realtime Estimated Damage Index (REDI?), a running tally of highly publicized laptop and desktop computer thefts and losses and these losses? associated costs. Since the beginning of 2008, 4,291,909 data records associated with laptop theft have been lost, according to the REDI at MyLaptopGPS' website. A log of these high-profile laptop thefts is available.
"Once again, a large, public organization has failed to safeguard its constituents' information," said Siciliano, who endorses MyLaptopGPS and is CEO of identity theft protection firm IDTheftSecurity.com. "The alternative is to invest in and install inexpensive, effective laptop computer security technology. Doing so is in fact simple and runs a high likelihood of preventing laptop theft?which, we've seen, is fraught with financial headaches"
YouTube video shows Siciliano on a local FOX News affiliate discussing the importance of securing mobile computing devices on college campuses, where laptop theft can run rampant. To learn more about identity theft, a major concern for anyone who's lost a laptop computer or other mobile computing device to thieves, readers may go to video of Siciliano at VideoJug.
Anyone who belongs to LinkedIn® is encouraged to join MyLaptopGPS' laptop computer security group there. They may download a demo of MyLaptopGPS, as well, and have the opportunity to read one of two reports tailored to the type of organization they run.
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About MyLaptopGPS
Since 1984, Tri-8, Inc. (DBA MyLaptopGPS.com) has specialized in complete system integration. From real-time electronic payment processing software to renowned mid-market ERP implementations, the executive team at MyLaptopGPS? has been serving leading enterprises and implementing world-class data systems that simply work. With MyLaptopGPS, Tri-8, Inc. brings a level of expertise, dedication, knowledge and service that is unmatched. MyLaptopGPS' rock-solid performance, security, and reliability flow directly from the company's commitment to top-notch software products and services for 25 years.
About IDTheftSecurity.com
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com, Robert Siciliano is a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report's editorial board and of the consumer advisory board for McAfee. Additionally, in a partnership to help raise awareness about the growing threat of identity theft and provide tips for consumers to protect themselves, he is nationwide spokesperson for uni-ball in 2009 (uniball-na.com provides more information). A leader of personal safety and security seminars nationwide, Siciliano has been featured on "The Today Show," "CBS Early Show," CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, FOX News, "The Suze Orman Show," "The Montel Williams Show," "Tyra" and "Inside Edition" Numerous magazines, print news outlets and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft. These include Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters and others. For more information, visit Siciliano's Web site, blog, and YouTube page.
The media are encouraged to get in touch with any of the following individuals:
John Dunivan
MyLaptopGPS Media Relations
PHONE: (405) 747-6654 (direct line)
jd@MyLaptopGPS.com
http://www.MyLaptopGPS.com
Robert Siciliano, Personal Security Expert
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
http://www.idtheftsecurity.com
Brent Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
Zoominfo profile
LinkedIn profile
Brent Skinner's Blog
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
http://www.STETrevisions.com
Keyword Tags:
identity theft, laptop gps, laptop theft