[IS&T Security-FYI] STOP tags for Laptops

[Monique Yeaton]

STOP claims that the recovery rate is very high. They have recovered  
eight out of 10 items (which would mean 80%) reported stolen or lost  
for the more than 2000 companies using the system. But the STOP tags  
are primarily a theft deterrent and the numbers I have seen for that  
are that companies with STOP tags on their equipment have a 90  
percent reduction in equipment losses.

I spoke to an officer here at MIT and she mentioned that they got a  
notice recently of a computer that had been marked with the tag and  
registered with MIT that was reported recovered in California 2 years  
later, so it definitely works.

Here's the recovered list from STOP for 2006:

http://www.stoptheft.com/site/recoveries.php

Monique

On Oct 19, 2006, at 3:56 PM, Jim Eggleston wrote:

> Hi,
> Are there any figures for the successful recovery of laptops which  
> are STOP tagged? I have stopped getting recent laptops STOP tagged,  
> but I could be persuaded to resume if there were some supporting  
> statistics.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Jim Eggleston
> Humanities Library
> 617-253-4426
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: itpartners-bounces at MIT.EDU [mailto:itpartners- 
> bounces at MIT.EDU] On Behalf Of Monique Yeaton
> Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2006 3:15 PM
> To: security-fyi at MIT.EDU
> Subject: [IS&T Security-FYI] STOP tags for Laptops
>
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> -----------------------------------------------------------
>
> There are several theft prevention measures one can take with a
> laptop: buying desk cables and locks, using extra caution when in
> public, and keeping it in a safe place. But can we do more?
> Additionally, when your laptop gets stolen anyway, is there anything
> that can be done to get it back? There is!
>
> This week is the second week that the MIT Police Crime Prevention
> Unit will be providing STOP (Security Tracking of Office Property)
> tagging on campus for laptops and other portable devices. This
> service will be provided one or two days per week through November  
> 14th.
>
> STOP tags are plates that are secured to your device with incredibly
> strong glue. They include a barcode that can be scanned putting the
> information into a worldwide tracking system. You can also register
> your equipment online immediately upon receiving your tag. If the tag
> is removed, the tattoo left behind states stolen property.
>
> To learn more and to view the tagging schedule and location go to
> <http://web.mit.edu/ist/topics/security/physical.html>
> Each item tagged costs $10.
>
> Background Information:
>
> Since January of 2006, a little over 100 computers were reported
> stolen at MIT. Nation-wide, some 2000 computers are stolen or lost
> EVERY DAY. That rate is growing at the rate of 25 percent per year.
> Security experts agree that theft deterrence is the most important
> and cost-effective step you can take in preventing a very costly and
> sometimes embarrassing problem.
>
> FBI studies have shown that 97 percent of unmarked machines are never
> recovered. STOP plates act not only to deter theft, they link your
> equipment to a worldwide tracking and retrieval service. STOP will
> work with local police, the FBI, and INTERPOL to track your equipment
> down and, once located, return it to you.
>
> Stay Informed:
>
> The IT Security Support team is also looking into having Dell and
> Apple put these tags on computers prior to shipping to MIT. Another
> option we're looking into is the LoJack for Laptops service. We'll
> let you know what we find out about both of these.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Monique Yeaton
> IT Security Awareness Consultant
> MIT Information Services & Technology (IS&T)
> N42-040, tel: (617) 253-2715
>
>
>
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