The performance of your computer lock system is only as effective as the quality of its installation. Therefore, it is critical to take the time to prepare and install it correctly. A new video has just been posted to SecurTech's YouTube Channel that will make the job easy. Click below to see the video.

                                                   How to install a SecurTech Spot Anchor Computer Lock

Visit the new SecurTechLLC Store on eBay for clearance and overstock items, discontinued products, and discounts on SecurTech's family of computer locks and anti-theft devices.

The bulk of SecurTech's customers have traditionally been institutions such as educational and healthcare facilities. The new eBay Store provides SecurTech with a path to reach more individuals and small businesses, as well as potential customers overseas.

SecurTech items will be sold both auction-style and/or with the Buy It Now option. Click the link below to visit the SecurTech Store on eBay. 

                                                                    http://stores.ebay.com/SecurTechLLC

Securing iPads and Kindles was the talk track at the SecurTech booth at NCCE 2011 in Portland March 2-4. These handheld tablets are making their way into educational environments and they are a high theft risk. Unfortunately, most of these devices lack built-in security slots.

It might seem like a shame to tether a wireless portable device with a security cable, but it is a bigger shame to let such a desirable and expensive device walk out the door. Attaching a small anchor to the device is a low-cost, low-impact solution. Even if they get locked up at night in a drawer, closet or cart, they should still be temporarily secured with a cable lock when they are out in the classroom or library.

Many show attendees recognized SecurTech from years past, although many others readily admitted that they don't secure their computers or A/V equipment at all. Our key message is "Don't wait until after the theft to secure your equipment." It is remarkable how many people come to SecurTech only after they have been victims of theft. 

Schools also report struggling with how to secure projectors, remote controls, flat-panel TVs, microscopes, and laptop charge carts. SecurTech offers cost-effective solutions to each of these security challgenges. This is why we like to meet customers face-to-face at trade shows such as the NCCE. We hope to see you at a future event.


A school administrator speaks to SecurTech at the NCCE 2011 Expo.

The smaller a device is, the easier it is to steal, but just because it is small doesn't mean it isn't valuable. In fact, the increasing portability of laptop computers is being mirrored by an increasing amount of laptop theft.

What about remote controls and other handheld or portable electronics? In institutional environments many of these items need to stay put but have a tendency to walk off. You can't lock them in a drawer or they can't be used. You hate to just continue replacing them over and over.

One of our educational customers says that they lose one remote control every week at $60 a piece. This is an aggravating loss of control (pardon the expression). One retail client has acrylic donation boxes on their countertops. These fill up with change and then get swiped, which is a shame and a loss for the charity.

Many institutions choose the KeepTabs® cable lock system from SecurTech. These handy anchors and cables can be attached either permanently or temporarily depending on the adhesive used. They cost just a few dollars per device and are ideal for keeping your stuff where it belongs. 

The newly published KeepTabs System Configuration Guide is now available for free download from the SecurTech website. I encourage you to check it out.

The Northwest Council for Computer Education hosts its 40th annual conference at the Portland Oregon Convention Center March 1-4, 2011. This event is the largest educational technology exhibition in the Pacific Northwest.  We invite you to come visit SecurTech in booth 708 at NCCE 2011.

We will be exhibiting our full line of computer locks, laptop locks and anti-theft devices for A/V and other electronic equipment. Talk to SecurTech personnel about your specific security needs and ask the experts about the best solutions for your environment.

We also use trade shows as a way to collect information from customers in order to develop new products. If you are trying to secure something but have not found an appropriate anti-theft device, please let us know. You are always welcome to call us at 1-800-800-9573 as well.

We look forward to seeing you in Portland!

2011 marks the 25th year in business for SecurTech. Although there have been many changes over the years, the Spot Anchor computer lock system is still our best seller. The company's founding family is still involved in the daily business, and the retail Spot Anchor prices have not been raised since the early 1990s.

We hope you will help us celebrate our 25th anniversary by taking advantage of the monthly specials available through the SecurTech online store. Happy New Year!

The first in a new series of videos from SecurTech is now available for viewing on the SecurTech, LLC channel on YouTube. The video is entitled SecurTech Spot Anchor Overview and presents an introduction to the patented Spot Anchor computer lock system.

Click here to visit the YouTube SecurTech channel, or click the image below to see the new video. 

Some institutions have forgone theft prevention hardware in favor of theft tracking software. These software solutions essentially “phone home” after your laptop is stolen. Using GPS, it tells you where your stolen laptop physically is, and some solutions use the laptop’s webcam to capture photos of the thief and send them to you.

 

While this sounds clever and high-tech, let me point out the key phrase above: “…after your laptop is stolen.” Tracking software does absolutely nothing to keep your computer from being stolen in the first place. As I described in my previous entry on insurance, this is a reactive solution rather than a proactive one. This is why tracking software should always be used in combination with a physical cable lock theft prevention solution.

 

I recently spoke to a school teacher who had purchased theft tracking software. His laptop was actually stolen and the software helped him identify the thief within two days. Although the police recovered his laptop quickly, the teacher didn’t get it back for over a year because the computer was held as police evidence in the trial against the thief. Not only did the teacher end up purchasing a new laptop in the meantime, he got nothing from his insurance company. He has since started securing his laptop with a cable lock.

 

There has been news recently of theft tracking software being used inappropriately to spy on students via the laptop’s webcam, both in the classroom and at home. As you can imagine, this has caused no shortage of problems and legal action.

 

Just because a product is made with new technology does not mean that it is a better solution. It is often more effective to stick with a low-tech solution that has proven itself to be effective over decades of use in the field. Consider this carefully when evaluating your computer security needs.

 

Some people don’t feel the need to secure their computers because they have insurance coverage for theft. At a recent educational technology trade show, I asked a school technology coordinator if her computers were secured. She replied with a wave of her hand and said, “Oh, we have insurance for that!”

 

She has clearly never been the victim of theft. Insurance rarely covers the entire cost of the loss, nor does it compensate for the inconvenience, lost time and loss of equipment use. Most importantly, it does not cover the cost of the lost data. It can take weeks or months to replace the hardware and contents. Anyone who has been through this process knows the pain.

 

Insurance is just one of many tools in the security tool belt. Cable locks are another. In fact, many insurance policies either reward the use of anti-theft systems, or require them. You may want to check your own organization’s security policy and/or insurance policy with regard to computer theft. Make sure you are in compliance and that you are benefiting from it.

 

The possibility of theft is something people like to ignore. Using insurance as a solution to computer theft is like using abortion as a solution to an unwanted pregnancy. Prevention is the least costly and least painful answer.

Thank you for visiting the innaugural entry to the SecurTech blog. We are pleased to share with you news and information to help you secure your valuable computers and electronic equipment from theft.

SecurTech is fast approaching its 25th anniversary. Since 1986 we've seen and heard a great deal about what works and doesn't work with regard to theft prevention. We'd like to share our knowledge with you through this blog.  

Many institutions come to us after they have been victims of theft, and only then do they decide to physically secure their equipment. The key to avoiding an expensive equipment loss is to become educated on the subject. We encourage you to subscribe to this blog so you can stay informed on the topics outlined below.

Future Topics:

• Theft prevention best practices
• Research and statistics on theft
• Stories from the field
• Anti-theft technology reviews
• Product news and specials

Please feel free to add your comments. We would love to hear your stories, recommendations, product ideas, and any input you think may be helpful to other readers.

On a personal note, 35 houses in my neighborhood were broken into a few years ago, including mine. It was a painful, expensive and personally traumatic experience. My neighbors and I all began working as a team and sharing information and implementing new security solutions. Fortunately, the burglar was caught and none of us have been victims since.

This type of education, planning and data sharing should be proactive, not reactive. Don't wait until it happens to you. Start learning and sharing now so you will be prepared when the time comes. Thanks again for your participation.