Product lets stolen PCs phone home

Oakley's SureFind could swerve data theft rules

A new product may help solve the issue of data privacy being compromised on stolen laptops.

Oakley Networks' SureFind software lets admins find out whether data has been viewed or altered and, if necessary, destroy relevant data or disable the computer as soon as the PC is connected to a fixed or wireless network.

SureFind is so far only available in the US but Oakley plans broader distribution after addressing local compliance issues.

Oakley is just one of a clutch of firms addressing issues to do with stolen laptops. However, it claims to be unique in the granularity of its analysis tools.

Nationwide building society recently disclosed that an employee laptop stolen in a domestic burglary could compromise the identities of customers.

Research suggests only about one in 50 stolen laptops is ever recovered by owners.