Any business that routinely handles personal data can draw a number of important lessons from the recent rash of thefts involving personal data, plaguing both industry and government.

The scenario is depressingly familiar: A laptop computer or associated storage media, such as a disk, is stolen from an employee's home, car or office. Although the thief was probably after the hardware, the device contained thousands of records with individually identifiable data, possibly names, Social Security numbers and other personal information. Now at large, the data could be used for identity theft.

What could have been done to prevent this in the first place, and what should be done after the fact to limit potential liability and protect a company's reputation?

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