The proliferation of personal computers has caused a decentralization of control. Those responsible for personal computers are faced with the daunting task of protecting their computers from theft, illegal access, malicious acts that result in damage of the equipment, and unauthorized usage. Sensitive or confidential information is vulnerable to unauthorized access without the proper security. If a thief or a disgruntled employee walks away with your computer, monetary losses may seem minimal compared to the loss of information stored on the hard drive. Personal computers can also be rendered useless through the theft of critical components, such as circuit boards, communications boards, etc.
Several products are now available to prevent equipment and information loss.
Some are expensive but quite a few are relatively cheap. The equipment you may need to secure your personal computer depends on your environment and what the computer is used for. Since time is limited, it is impossible to list all the devices and products that are currently available on the market. Therefore, only one or two examples will be given in most categories. There are many devices available on the market for preventing the theft of equipment.