| We like to think of our offices as being as secure and | | | | there are places that no guard will look without |
| welcoming as our homes. After all, a great many of us | | | | probable cause and a major amount of |
| spend as much or more time in the workplace than | | | | encouragement. |
| inside our castles with their white picket fences and | | | | What about the finished copies of those reports? The |
| back yard decks. But are our computers, offices and | | | | ones you have so carefully crafted to perfection, just |
| even our persons as safe as we would prefer them | | | | sitting on your desk waiting to be shared at the next |
| to be? What are some of the hazards of the | | | | board meeting. It's lunch time and you are absolutely |
| workday world that we should be on the look out for? | | | | famished so you literally run out the door on route to |
| Computers are great. They eliminate vast mounds of | | | | your favorite café. The report is left casually |
| clutter, most of the time. These one eyed marvels | | | | on your desk. Someone decides they want a preview. |
| enable us to complete our work efficiently and with a | | | | Either they walk away with your work or pull out a cell |
| personal flair and professionalism that in the old days | | | | phone with a camera and take pictures of whatever |
| would require an in house printing press that sounded | | | | they want. Many offices are deserted during the lunch |
| more like a Mac truck on permanent idle outside your | | | | hour, so this is entirely possible. |
| window. | | | | "The security camera will catch them!" This is very |
| But computers, just as thoroughbred horses in training, | | | | true, if it is a real camera. Even if it is a true camera, is |
| need constant attention. Firewalls need to be kept in | | | | it turned on all the time or just when the office is |
| place. Anti-virus programs must be renewed and run | | | | closed? Is the picture quality good enough to tell |
| on a regular schedule. Software has to be updated to | | | | whether the intruder looks like your Uncle Joe or your |
| the most current version. If you happen to forget any | | | | Aunt Martha? Is it even pointing at your desk? It's |
| of these items, the computer will remind you with pop | | | | common to aim security cameras at doors or other |
| up messages that tend to appear at the most | | | | entry points. If your personal space is several doors |
| inopportune times. Scenarios of doom and gloom are | | | | away down a long hallway your uninvited guest may |
| threatened if you choose to ignore them. | | | | be able to click away undisturbed. |
| Computers also pose another risk. They are quite | | | | Security cameras have other issues that workers in |
| handy for storing and sharing data. This is a good thing, | | | | executive suites should keep in mind. The best |
| as long as that data is being shared with the right | | | | systems work 24/7 with maybe even a direct feed |
| people. Passwords help, but are useless if you walk | | | | into a manned security desk. Some have tiny, hidden |
| away from your desk with your computer still running. | | | | cameras placed in air vents, on light fixtures, even in |
| In the blink of an eye that precious presentation you | | | | potted plants. They see everything. Record everything. |
| have been working on for hours magically gets | | | | Your personal office may be just that, but perhaps it is |
| emailed to a competitor. One doesn't even have to | | | | not the best place to change one bra for another just |
| use the email these days. Memory sticks easily fit in | | | | because you like the color or for any other reason. |
| the palm of a hand, plug easily into any USB port and | | | | Unless of course you are seeking your fifteen minutes |
| can hold vast amounts of data. As far as getting that | | | | of fame and don't mind that it will cause a blush or |
| less than finger sized information holder past security, | | | | two, or three. |