In order to safeguard your computer system against theft, please see the following advice.

What can you do?

• Mark your equipment with your post code.
• Consider the use of hidden electronic marking devices.
• Conduct regular property and equipment audits – record missing items.
• Allocate responsibility for equipment to individuals.
• Establish measures to control the use and movement of equipment.
• Record details of equipment serial numbers or identification marks and keep them readily available in the event of theft.
• Anchor equipment to solid furniture, floors or nearby walls using appropriate means.
• Use intruder alarm equipment to monitor building or room entry.
• Use product alarms to monitor movement of individual computer equipment.
• Consider tagging equipment using electrical article surveillance methods.
• Store computer equipment within secure rooms or cabinets when these rooms are unoccupied.
• Use CCTV and audio recording equipment to monitor buildings and areas where computers are in use.
• Ensure mobile and laptop computers are properly secured when used away from the office.
• Review existing security precautions regularly.
• Install anti-virus programmes and keep them updated
• Ensure that computers and all other electronic devices are included on your insurance policy
• Do not open or respond to an email from an unrecognised source or download attachments and/or files without knowing what they are and where they are from – this is the most common way that computers pick up a virus. Equally, take care when attempting to download content directly from an unknown internet site.
• Always lock the screen (Ctrl + Alt + Del) when leaving a computer terminal unattended and log-off completely when leaving for the day.
• Never insert a disk, USB or other portable device into the computer unless sure of its origin. When deciding a password always use ‘strong’ passwords that contain a mix of letters, symbols and characters and choose a different password for each system. Never reveal the password to others, even to close colleagues or managers.