Imagine what it would be like to convert all the files on your laptop into hard copy.

You would almost certainly be carrying around the contents of a large filing cabinet.

Very few people need that volume of data and few recognise the security implications of doing so.

But many 'power' users carry their entire stock of intellectual property on a single laptop!

Every week we hear about yet another high-profile laptop theft that could have been prevented if the owner had paid more attention to the importance of laptop and data security.

It is easy to say "it will not happen to me".

According to an independent survey conducted by MORI on behalf of Compaq, the importance of hardware and data security is not being taken seriously or enforced by UK business.

The research reveals that a staggering 60 per cent of UK employees do not use a password when logging on to their PC or laptop.

Nearly three-quarters of respondents do not take any extra precautions to protect their laptop or its data when out of the office.

The research surveyed almost 2,500 people from 12 UK regions. Despite being one of the highest usage areas in the UK, the South East came out rather badly in this nationwide poll.

Interestingly, more people in the South East use a password to access files, documents and network services than in any other region.

But it is estimated only 45 per cent of all South East computer users bother to set up any kind of password protection and most do not even know how to.

Londoners were polled separately from the rest of the South East and are the most careless in protecting data from theft, with only 13.8per cent claiming they take extra precautions to protect the information on their laptop from prying eyes.

The good news is that cracking entry codes may be harder in the South East than anywhere else in the country as people in the South East are least likely to use a loved one's name as their password.

No reasons are given for this phenomenon.

But it does highlight the importance of changing passwords often and never using words which can be guessed easily.

Strangely, the survey revealed most Londoners do use a friend or loved one's name as their password.

Given the number of people in the South East who commute, it is hardly surprising to discover more people in our area use a laptop while away from their home or office than any other part of the UK.

More than 48 per cent of South East computer users are claiming true road warrior status, almost 40 per cent more than Merseyside!

The high incidence of laptop theft in the South East prompts 52 per cent of those surveyed to worry their laptop may be stolen.

But it ensures 51 per cent keep copies of business critical files and documents in case they become the next crime statistic.

So what can you do to make sure you are safe from the laptop and data thieves?

Protecting your laptop from theft:

Always take note of the hardware type and serial/ asset number of your laptop and store it separately from the computer.

When approaching an airport metal detector, try to delay putting your laptop on the conveyor belt until you are sure that you will be the next person through.

Stealing laptops from metal detector conveyor belts is on the increase.

Keeping your laptop secure in and out of the office:

Ensure your laptop is locked in a docking station.

In the office, if your laptop is not in a docking station, lock it away when it is unattended.

Avoid leaving your laptop in the car unless it is absolutely necessary and never leave it on open display.

Do not leave it on display in a hotel room when you go out.

Never let your laptop out of your sight in the airport, railway, bar or bus station.

Keep it close to you at all times while travelling and never check it in as baggage.

Protecting the information stored on your laptop:

Ensure that your PC is password-protected Never write down passwords. Take special care to make sure that you do not record passwords and carry them with your laptop because that would be as unsafe as writing your PIN number on the back of your credit card.

For added security, data should be encrypted.

Back-up any business-critical information stored on your hard drive and keep the back-ups separate from your laptop.

When travelling, only store the files you need for that trip on your laptop.