Commerce Department Says Over 1,100 Laptops Lost Since 2001

Washington, DC -- The Department of Commerce revealed late Thursday that it has lost track of more than 1,100 laptops since 2001, including 249 containing personal information. The department, which has had more than 30,000 laptops in its inventory over the period, said that the missing units, mostly belonging to the Census Bureau, were either lost or stolen. A separate review found that the department has had sensitive personal information either lost or compromised nearly 300 times since 2003. "The amount of missing computers is high, but fortunately, the vulnerability for data misuse is low," said Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez. "While we know of no instances of personal information being improperly used, we regret each instance of lost material and believe the volume of lost equipment is unacceptable."
http://www.commerce.gov/opa/press/Secretary_Gutierrez/2006_Releases/September/21_Commerce_Review.htm