A professor from Georgia State University says his life’s work is gone after his laptop was reportedly stolen which was loaded with years of valuable NASA research. Video courtesy of Fox News.

GadgetTrak was a sponsor of this years Annual Technology for Government Reception featuring a keynote from Vinton G. Cerf, Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist for Google ( AKA “The Father of the Internet”). GadgetTrak was also featured in the Cyber Security Lounge where our latest anti-theft software was featured and demonstrated.

Hundreds of industry, congressional, and federal government executives networked at TechAmerica’s 2009 Technology for Government Reception on June 10, 2009, in Washington, DC. Additionally, in remarks to the over 350 technology leaders in attendance, keynote speaker and Google VP & Chief Internet Evangelist, Vinton Cerf, said the Internet is incomplete and still lacks many essential functions.

Cerf said stronger more widespread authentication is the key to improved cyber security, citing the ability to verify identities associated with domain names and confirm the origin of email communications as being important enhancements that would greatly extend the power and utility of the Internet.

“Vint Cerf hit on one of the critical challenges facing America,” said TechAmerica President Phil Bond. “Realizing the full benefits of the information technology revolution depends on striking the right balance between security and access. Partnership between the government and the private sector on effective cyber security is one of the best ways of achieving that balance.”

Here is a full video of Cerf’s keynote:

Keynote by Vint Cerf

GadgetTrak - Event sponsor & TechAmerica Oregon “Cool Product of the Year”

Forbes wrote a great article on GadgetTrak that I wanted to revisit with a quote from Steve Bertoni regarding theft statistics

According to the FBI’s National Crime Information Center, the number of reported laptop thefts increased almost 48% over the last two years, from 73,700 to almost 109,000. The number of reported phone robberies jumped 33% over the same period, from 60,100 to nearly 80,300…GadgetTrak devlops  systems like this to help quash the rising rate of electronics robberies in the U.S. The small size, sleekness and mobility that make today’s electronics convenient also make them great targets for thieves. These high-tech, mobile devices dominate Forbes’ list of most stolen electronics.

Read Full Article “Stolen Electronics”

An external computer hard drive  was stolen from the Office of Student Affairs  at Georgetown University  on January 3, 2008.  The hard drive contained sensitive personal information belonging to current and former students, faculty and staff. Had GadgetTrak USB been installed on this drive, when it was connected and accessed on a new computer it would have sent information regarding its location and  who had it. The drive was also NOT encrypted, all drives containing sensitive information such as this should be encrypted without question. 

Source:NBC Channel News story