Feb/Mar 2008

Whilst various security specialists have come up with solutions for preventing data loss when computers are stolen, few have proposed such an extensive system as Virtuity, a young UK company. It tracks laptop computers, and initiates data deletion or other measures as soon as they stray outside their designated space (which could be a desk, a room, a floor of a building or a wider area).

The company calls the technology Backstopp, and says it monitors the electronic 'heartbeat' of a laptop to determine its location. What this means is that it uses a range of technologies such as Wi-Fi and RFID to locate and track the equipment, and comes into action as soon as the control centre concludes that they are at risk.

In addition to deleting sensitive data remotely, it can take webcam pictures to help identify the computer's current location (assuming there is a camera on board), and transmits them to base as soon as the computer comes within range of a suitable wireless network. This process is reportedly invisible to the user.

Prices for all this start at £10 a month.