According to research firm IDC, more than 60 percent of corporate data resides on desktop and laptop PCs. That's data companies can't afford to lose or risk having stolen. Today, mobile devices -- laptops and smartphones -- carry as much sensitive information as a desktop, if not more. While trying to enable productivity with these mobile devices, financial institutions must comply with PCI and SOX regulations. To protect customer data and meet these strict guidelines, consider the following tips for managing mobile devices, especially laptops.

* Protect your password(s). Change your password often and make it difficult to guess. Strong passwords with alphanumeric characters and other symbols are always best. Disable or decline any pas s word-saving features.

* Develop a multilevel approach to security Relevant Products/Services. Hackers use a variety of tactics to defeat security protection. Be sure your mobile device is equipped with the right blend of information technology security: anti-spam, antispyware, a virtual private network and a personal firewall. Make yourself aware of your security "blind spots" -- moments when your laptop or desktop might be exposed to hackers or malware found on certain malicious Web sites.

* Guard against ever-present prying eyes. You can stop thieves from snooping. Have your IT department encrypt your e-mail. If not, hackers can read your e-mails as they're moving through Cyberspace. When you are working remotely and need to access the corporate network, make sure your Virtual Private Network or VPN connection to the corporate network is enabled so the transmission of data from your network to your laptop remains secure.

* Realize that wired and wireless are not created equal. A wired connection (DSL or even dial-up) is inherently more secure than wireless (Wi-Fi or EV-DO). With wireless connections, data typically is sent unencrypted through the air between the mobile device and the access point, making it very easy for hackers to sniff the data passively from as far away as the parking lot. Level the playing field: Wireless can be as secure as broadband with a blend of IT security applications. Disable the Windows capability to automatically connect to signals, because this enables your computer to connect with other computers, including hackers' computers.

* Prepare for the worst. Unfortunately, it's not if your mobile device is lost or stolen but when. Back up data on another hard drive or server Relevant Products/Services. Implement a password-protected screen lock. Don't store sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, Social security numbers, bank account numbers or credit card numbers on mobile devices. Activate administrative device-wiping so that an IT administrator can remotely destroy data and applications on the mobile device if it is lost or stolen.

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