Your Computer Network Solution
The Value of Location-Based Services — In Practice
by Chris Faist
Last week I attended a security conference sponsored by several of our vendors. It’s a great opportunity to catch up and learn about the latest in security threats and meet with many of the top-tier security device and software companies. We take that information back to our clients and bring forward the latest solutions for protecting their networks.
The conference was located in San Diego, so I flew Southwest early in the morning. The conference was being held at a Sheraton located only a mile from the airport, so I took the hotel shuttle. Shortly after stepping onto the shuttle, a couple of other gentlemen boarded. The San Diego Sheraton has two towers: a Marina tower and a Bay tower. I was staying in the Bay tower and the two gentlemen were staying at the Marina. As we departed the airport, the driver asked our names and looked up which tower we were scheduled to stay at. I didn’t pay a lot of attention to the other men, they were quiet, and within minutes we arrived at the Marina tower. They both exited the shuttle and we continued about 1/4 mile to the Bay tower where I checked in at the front desk.
Within minutes I was up in my room and went to grab my new IPad from the front pocket of my travel bag. Much to my chagrin, it became quickly apparent that I had the wrong travel bag! Very similar in size and design yes, but definitely not my bag! Not a great feeling when you know that you have lost possession of a very valuable Apple IPad that you planned to use extensively during the conference…
I generally travel light; I have a backpack that has my laptop, paperwork and travel documents. I also have a 20" rolling travel bag that holds clothes and has a perfectly sized sleeve on the outside that holds the IPad. As I had used the IPad to get the hotel phone number after landing in San Diego, I was certain that I had possession of the correct bag to the point I entered the shuttle. I quickly went downstairs to the lobby and notified the front desk. We jointly opened the suitcase that I was in possession of and searched for some identification… nothing. A bag full of business clothes, but not much else. Given the two men on the shuttle were dropped off at the Marina, I suspected that there would be a record of them checking in shortly before me. Sure enough, they were able to identify a couple of guests whose names sounded familiar to me. So the hotel attempted to call them. No luck.
That’s when I got the idea of using the location-based services and "find me" functionality that I had recently enabled on the IPad. Apple’s MobileMe service utilizes the GPS functionality within IPads, IPhones or iTouch devices to remotely locate, lock or wipe the device. So taking my laptop, I was able to quickly login to the service and start tracking my IPad. Surprisingly, the GPS mapping showed it was still at the airport… how could that be? I pondered the next step, should I remotely wipe the device entirely? Doing so would protect any material on the IPad, but would also make it very inconvenient to use the device should it be returned. That seemed like a last resort. Rather, I locked the device, entering a 4-digit code and enabled a tone and message that would appear on the front screen. The message was simple: Lost IPad… Please call (206) 947-….
Within minutes, the Southwest baggage claim department called and said they had my bag! Apparently, the other gentleman had noticed that he had the wrong bag and assumed that it had been switched at the airport. Within a few minutes, we both had our proper bags and all was well.
There are some lessons from this. First, the technology works. Apple, Blackberry, Android and Windows Mobile devices all have GPS tracking capabilities within them. Many new laptops do as well. It is a relatively simple matter to enable these services to provide excellent remote tracking and data protection. Had I wanted to erase the IPad, it was a click away. The same can be done with a Blackberry server or Windows device.
It also emphasizes the importance of physical security. I consider myself to be a very careful traveller who is observant and vigilant. The fact remains it happened… my bag was taken by mistake. Better identification on the bags, especially something to make them stand out and appear unique would be a wise move.
Another thing that I would suggest is to enable a locking code on your electronic devices when you travel. Even if you only enable these features when you travel, you will prevent anyone from having access to information until you have the opportunity to remotely control them.
If you need any help with deploying these services or have any questions, please contact Chris Faist, Integrated Computer Systems Support, at 425-284-5410.
Apple, Blackberry, Android and Windows Mobile devices all have GPS tracking capabilities within them. Many new laptops do as well. It is a relatively simple matter to enable these services to provide excellent remote tracking and data protection.