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ore than a quarter of UK employees reported using a mobile device
such as a laptop in bed before they go to sleep, according to a
2009 survey conducted by Credant Technologies, the data-protection
company. Among those who work in bed, more than half (57%) said
they do so for between two and six hours a week.
The survey into “laptop use in bed and the security implications”
was conducted among 300 city workers in London.  Almost
half of the respondents (44%) also said they hold important work
documents on their mobile devices.
This may be a concern for in-house IT departments responsible for
securing an ever-increasing mobile workforce who use data on the
move.
“There’s a growing population no longer restricted by
working hours or confined to the office building itself,”
said Credant VP Michael Callahan. “People are mobile and will
work anywhere—even in bed.”
Security concerns notwithstanding, it should come as no surprise
that bedtime laptop use was also found to be “a very annoying
habit” by a majority of those who share a bed with the key-tappers.
And a surprising 8% of those surveyed admitted to spending more
time on their mobile devices during the evening than in talking
to their partners.
Among the bedtime laptop users surveyed, 87% said they used a wireless
network that may or may not be secure to connect to the Internet.
A majority (56%) said they had uploaded or downloaded company information.
Credant offers the following suggestions to those who use laptops
or other mobile devices at home in bed, in a hotel room, or in any
public place such as a park or your friendly local coffee shop.
IF
YOUR LAPTOP OR MOBILE DEVICE CONTAINS important or
sensitive data relating to your employer, especially client information,
ask your IT department to encrypt the device.
ALWAYS
USE A STRONG PASSWORD—one that combines numbers,
letters and symbols—to access your device or network. Don’t
make exposure easy. See Interchange.
BE AWARE OF ALL THE POINTS OF CONNECTION and access
so you don’t risk disclosure.
DON’T LEAVE YOUR MOBILE DEVICE OPEN to access
(for example, don’t leave Bluetooth or WIFI turned on) somewhere
visible and unsecured. 
—Adapted from
The New York Times
Study reports growing use of laptops in bed
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Key to success may be your mindset
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