A total of 94 percent of small companies in Europe have suffered from laptops being stolen, according to research from IDC commissioned by Kensington.

With more businesses becoming victims of laptop theft, Kensington is warning businesses to take the issue of physical laptop security more seriously.

Those most vulnerable to laptop theft are business users travelling as part of their job. In the event that their laptop is lost or stolen, their stored software could be useful in tracking the computer - this won’t act as a deterrent to thieves however. Therefore, an effective way to ensure laptops aren’t stolen and that sensitive data does not fall into the wrong hands is to simply secure the laptop with a physical locking device.

After all, isn’t it strange how people lock their car, have a chain for their bike and even have a padlock on their garden shed but don’t secure their laptop safely? This absurd logic becomes especially apparent when you take into account the fact that the value of the average laptop, including the data stored, can sometimes be worth more then a car (Kensington’s research found that the average total cost of replacing a laptop now stands at £8,800).

Notebook locks are very useful in an office environment as they allow the user to move around from meeting to meeting in the knowledge that their laptop is secured to their desk, preventing it from being swiped by opportunists.

Kensington has compiled ten top tips to help companies and individuals protect their notebooks from theft:

1.  Never leave a laptop unattended in a public area or an office you’re not familiar with

2.  Be discreet about where you use it, if possible

3.  Pack away your laptop when you are not using it

4.  Always lock your laptop to your desk or in a secure cupboard if left overnight or while in meetings

5.  Make sure that equipment is not swapped or lent to other staff without proper authority

6.  When travelling by car, lock equipment which is not being used in the boot using one of the security devices available

7.  When travelling by plane or train, never put a laptop in hold luggage

8.  If in a restaurant or bar, always make sure that the bag containing the laptop can not be snatched. Put the shoulder strap under your chair

9.  When in a hotel, lock your laptop to a fixed object, or in the room safe if possible

10.  Use cable locking systems to anchor your laptop to a stationary object when appropriate, such as Kensington’s MicroSaver device
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