Sydney, August 17, 2005. Australian companies and government departments are suffering substantial losses needlessly because they do not protect their employees’ laptop computers, statistics show.

Seven out of 10 organisations had laptop computers stolen during the past 12 months, according to AusCERT’s newly released 2006 Australian Computer Crime & Security Survey.

The average corporate loss from laptop theft, including lost data and employee time, was $15,988, according to the survey. The highest loss reported was over $200,000. This is $50,000 higher than the 2005 figure.

“These alarming figures contrast sharply with the minimal losses among enterprises protecting their assets with laptop security and tracking software,” says Bruce Tweedie, CEO of Computrace Australia. “Over the past two years, only one-in-500 laptops protected by Computrace have been stolen.”

He cites Garter Group figures showing the industry average computer theft rate is between 3.5% and 5% percent annually, while the global Computrace user base averages a theft rate of less than 1%. Australia’s theft rate is far lower.

Computrace-protected laptops send a daily signal to the company's central data centre. This can tracks the computer's IP address and serial number. When a computer is reported stolen, Computrace asks the machine to signal a central data centre every 15 minutes. When the machine logs on to the Internet, Computrace identifies it and gives information to police to help recover the computer. Embedded in a computer’s BIOS, Computrace is extremely difficult to remove.

Computrace Australia recently announced a new Recovery Warranty of up to $1,000 (subject to conditions), payable if a stolen computer cannot be recovered within 60 days.

Dell, Lenovo, Hewlett-Packard and other original equipment manufacturers embed Computrace in the BIOS of their machines. Computrace can be part of a bundle when a laptop is purchased, or bought separately.

About Computrace Australia

Computrace Australia distributes technology products for the Australian corporate and government markets, including laptop security and tracking software that deters laptop theft and recovers stolen computers. The technology also provides software inventory, PC inventory, PC audits, IT asset tracking, software licence management and data protection solutions and service.

Computrace is the global leader in Computer Theft Recovery and Secure Asset Tracking™ with more than 350,000 subscriptions under management. Absolute’s uniquely patented Computrace® technology is optimised for remote and mobile users. Computrace provides organisations with simple and cost effective solutions to help track their computing assets, deter computer loss, and reduce incurred liability costs.

For more information

Bruce Tweedie David Frost Computrace Australia PR Deadlines Pty Ltd Tel: 0411-888 136 Tel: (02) 4341 5021 or 0408-408 210 email: bruce.tweedie@tomora.com.au