Countermeasure: Physical Security

Physical security is a broad topic, ranging from strengths of materials to uninterruptible power supplies and from suppressing fire to selecting building sites. Most aspects of physical security are far outside the scope of this book because they are not specific to computer security.

Relevant to the specific example of laptop theft with which we began this chapter is the obvious protection against theft. Business travelers know of laptop theft from hotel rooms or at airport check-in facilities or from unsupervised suitcases and briefcases. For some statistics on the amount of airport laptop loss, see Sidebar 7-3. It is easy to overlook the value of a laptop and its data. Prudent travelers carry their computers with them into restaurants and onboard planes. Often deterrence is adequate protection, so a locking cable for a laptop, secured to an immovable object will suffice for a short period in a low-threat environment.