Jayne Parkhouse

You would not leave your home without locking the door behind you and likewise you would protect your car when parked, so why do we quite happily leave documents open for anyone to see, print, alter or otherwise manipulate?

For anyone connecting to the internet, security has long been an issue. However, for many small businesses, the cost of security has also been a big issue and a heavy burden because the cost of security has often outweighed its benefits.

This is one product that has been on the computer security scene for quite some time and Control Break International has continued to develop its solutions over the years, despite many of its earlier competitors falling by the wayside.

For some time now, the problem for security professionals has not been "do I need AV protection" but more specifically "which one is best for my corporate needs." But with so many other danger areas for security administrators to concentrate on, leading to the provision of intrusion detection systems, intrusion prevention systems, firewalls and virtual private networks, to name but a few, it is crucial to make the right decision when they have a large array of other security solutions already running.
Providing all you need for network screening and stability can be a tall order, so whichever anti-virus solution is relied upon - software- or hardware-based, or a mix of both - it has to be dependable, be able to fully integrate with everything else running on the network, and provide 100 per cent system integrity.

For some time now, the problem for security professionals has not been "do I need AV protection" but more specifically "which one is best for my corporate needs." But with so many other danger areas for security administrators to concentrate on, leading to the provision of intrusion detection systems, intrusion prevention systems, firewalls and virtual private networks, to name but a few, it is crucial to make the right decision when they have a large array of other security solutions already running.
Providing all you need for network screening and stability can be a tall order, so whichever anti-virus solution is relied upon - software- or hardware-based, or a mix of both - it has to be dependable, be able to fully integrate with everything else running on the network, and provide 100 per cent system integrity.

Transporting a laptop in a vehicle, it is often too easy to become careless and leave it in full view, inviting a smashed window, loss of expensive equipment and possibly months of work. There is no guarantee that thieves will not break into your car, so a mobile safe is a good investment.

It is not always practical or even necessary to take a laptop on a trip, so a little more steel is needed to be sure of its safety while it is unguarded. That is a job for CompuClamp. This aptly named solution provides a secure fixing for a laptop rendering it immobile. And it isn't a permanent feature; the clamp can be moved to any office desk, hotel room or wherever it is needed.

Cables for laptop security are a good visual deterrent to the opportunist thief, but tests have proven that, with just a little effort and a cutting implement, they are a removable feature.

The fact remains, like them or loathe them, security cables do serve a purpose, even if only as a deterrent. Of course, any determined thief will make light work of most cables if they are armed with stealth, surprise and a pair of bolt cutters but, without them, hardware is a target for the snatch-and-grab variety.

The tough Notebook Guardian certainly appears sturdy on initial visual contact - from lock to cable. It is made of steel with a strong looking keyed lock function, although PC Guardian does manufacture other locking choices such as the combination version illustrated. The cable is black vinyl coated and blends into the surroundings. We are still waiting for a manufacturer to use Day-Glo colors, which would certainly say "hands off."