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Brigadoon Software, Inc. of Nanuet, New York released the results of the 2003 BSI Computer Theft Survey. This is the first survey to deal with the specific issues surrounding the theft of computing devices.

The survey, available for free download on Brigadoon Software's website (http://www.brigadoonsoftware.com) encompasses the input of 676 respondents throughout the world and was conducted in August 2003.

"This survey, which we plan to conduct on an annual basis, fills a void in the collective body of knowledge of computer technology about the 'who, what, when, where, how and why of computer theft,'" says Terrance L. Kawles, president of Brigadoon Software. "It was designed to be international in scope, and cover all important issues surrounding the theft of computing devices with great detail."

Survey Highlights

• Almost half (44.5%) of the survey respondents have been the victim of computer theft in the last 12 months.

• The value of proprietary data on respondents' stolen computers averaged an astounding $690,759.61 per stolen computer.

• 68% of all respondents report they only back-up data weekly, monthly, rarely or never - making the theft of a computing device a serious event that results in the permanent loss of data.

• 88% of respondents did not encrypt the proprietary data on their stolen computing device.

• 72.7% of respondents reported downtime due to computer theft ranging from several days to more than one month.

• 89.6% of respondent organizations do not have written guidelines on protecting proprietary information on computing devices while traveling.

• 95% of respondent organizations do not have written guidelines mandating encryption of proprietary information.

You can download a free copy of the entire 2003 BSI Computer Theft Survey at:
http://www.brigadoonsoftware.com

Charles W. Moore

Cool Mac Gear