When you're dealing with sensitive information, it is important that you prevent files from walking out your company door. The most common way that information is stolen is through a flash drive, a small USB device about the size of your thumb and easily concealed. Although you may trust your employees, taking the steps needed to block any open USB ports can prevent temptations to load data into a USB device. The problem with blocking all USB ports is that most keyboards and computer mice function through these ports. The answer to your security problems is to use a USB port blocker on the systems in your company.
One common type of port blocker is the physical style. With this system, a USB sized plug, frequently color coded to match the key, is inserted into the USB ports on a system. These plugs fit onto the end of the key and slide in any open port as easily as any USB device would. With a click of a button, the plug ejects from the key and locks into place plugging the USB port.
There are several ways to block your USB ports. You can start by using a USB key. A USB blocker is inserted inside of a color-coded key. The key locks the blocker in place, and the key is detached from the USB plug blocker. This way, the USB ports are blocked and locked, so that no one can use the ports without your permission.
You could also block your USB ports, by disabling their use. All you need to do is access the BIOS system of your computer. You'll need a hit a control key on your computer when you start your system, in order to access to BIOS system. Once you are in the BIOS system, find the controls for your USB ports and disable them. Keep in mind that anyone who can access the BIOS system can simply turn your USB ports back on.
For a more destructive and permanent means of creating a USB port blocker, a widely used method is to simply remove the USB ports from the systems. USB ports can be easily removed by a technician. If the ports aren't present, they can't be used. This approach will leave open holes in your computer system though. Another way of permanent disabling USB ports is to fill them with epoxy glue; do this only when the system is off, and let the epoxy fully dry before the system is started again.
Whatever method you use for closing off those USB ports that aren't in use, you will still need to have those ones used by the mouse and keyboard usable. To prevent employees from unplugging these devices and using the ports for their flash drives, you can purchase physical port locks with cable guards. These devices slide around the USB plug of an existing device, and then use a neighboring USB port to lock into place. While using a port lock, you can safely permit the continued usage of these needed ports, while keeping them secure.
If you take steps to secure the USB ports on your system, then you'll find little to no breach of security incidents taking place within your company. You need to lock down your USB ports and you'll need to block any USB ports that aren't being used. Otherwise, you're inviting a security breach to take place.
One common type of port blocker is the physical style. With this system, a USB sized plug, frequently color coded to match the key, is inserted into the USB ports on a system. These plugs fit onto the end of the key and slide in any open port as easily as any USB device would. With a click of a button, the plug ejects from the key and locks into place plugging the USB port.
There are several ways to block your USB ports. You can start by using a USB key. A USB blocker is inserted inside of a color-coded key. The key locks the blocker in place, and the key is detached from the USB plug blocker. This way, the USB ports are blocked and locked, so that no one can use the ports without your permission.
You could also block your USB ports, by disabling their use. All you need to do is access the BIOS system of your computer. You'll need a hit a control key on your computer when you start your system, in order to access to BIOS system. Once you are in the BIOS system, find the controls for your USB ports and disable them. Keep in mind that anyone who can access the BIOS system can simply turn your USB ports back on.
For a more destructive and permanent means of creating a USB port blocker, a widely used method is to simply remove the USB ports from the systems. USB ports can be easily removed by a technician. If the ports aren't present, they can't be used. This approach will leave open holes in your computer system though. Another way of permanent disabling USB ports is to fill them with epoxy glue; do this only when the system is off, and let the epoxy fully dry before the system is started again.
Whatever method you use for closing off those USB ports that aren't in use, you will still need to have those ones used by the mouse and keyboard usable. To prevent employees from unplugging these devices and using the ports for their flash drives, you can purchase physical port locks with cable guards. These devices slide around the USB plug of an existing device, and then use a neighboring USB port to lock into place. While using a port lock, you can safely permit the continued usage of these needed ports, while keeping them secure.
If you take steps to secure the USB ports on your system, then you'll find little to no breach of security incidents taking place within your company. You need to lock down your USB ports and you'll need to block any USB ports that aren't being used. Otherwise, you're inviting a security breach to take place.
About the Author:
Thank you to Bob Franken and to www.lindy-usa.com for help with specifications. Also, thank you Phil at Cables for info on HDMI Cables.
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