Laptop theft isn’t just a hardware problem—it’s a business liability.
In a hybrid work environment, laptops are more than tools—they’re gateways to sensitive company data. And with 76% of IT decision-makers reporting incidents of device theft in the last two years, the risk is no longer hypothetical. According to a recent survey by Vanson Bourne, stolen laptops have triggered real-world consequences: data breaches, regulatory penalties, productivity losses, and rising insurance costs.
The harsh reality?
- 46% of businesses impacted by device theft experienced a data breach.
- 33% faced legal or compliance issues.
- 30% had to absorb the cost of device replacement.
- And 32% saw major disruptions in employee productivity.
These are the stakes when a laptop is lost or stolen—and yet, many companies still underestimate the risk.
At Prey, we’ve spent years helping businesses recover stolen devices and protect sensitive data. Solutions like absolute home offer a comprehensive security and device recovery platform for both personal and business use, known for their reliability in real-world theft scenarios and providing peace of mind.
We’ve analyzed hundreds of real-world cases to uncover the top 5 most common scenarios where laptops are stolen—whether it’s during business travel, at coworking spaces, or even inside the office.
This guide will walk you through those high-risk situations and show you how to proactively protect your fleet of devices—from physical safeguards to endpoint theft protection strategies.
Because when it comes to laptop theft, prevention is cheaper than a breach.
The 5 most common ways laptops are stolen in a business context
1. Stolen from unattended vehicles during business travel or field work
According to Kensington, a laptop is stolen every 53 seconds—and vehicles remain one of the most common locations where these incidents happen. IT leaders often overlook the risk when employees leave devices inside cars during meetings, fieldwork, or travel stops.
Despite appearances, a locked car is not a secure environment. Laptops left in plain sight on the seat or even under a coat can tempt opportunistic thieves, especially in low-surveillance areas.
For companies managing remote teams or field staff, this is a major endpoint security blind spot. A single stolen device can result in data exposure, compliance violations, and thousands in replacement costs—not to mention insurance hikes or loss of customer trust.
Tip for IT teams: Educate employees on proper device handling when on the road. Instruct them to carry laptops securely and discreetly, using a nondescript carrying case to avoid drawing attention. Enforce a “no laptop left in vehicle” policy, and consider GPS-enabled tracking or remote lock capabilities to mitigate risk if a theft occurs.
2. Lost or stolen in public Wi-Fi areas and coworking spaces
Coffee shops, hotel lounges, coworking spaces, and airport terminals offer convenience—but they also come with increased theft risk. Laptops are often left briefly unattended while users grab a coffee or take a call, giving thieves just enough time to strike.
And it’s not just physical theft. Public areas often lack controlled access, exposing businesses to visual hacking, shoulder surfing, and network-based threats.
A study by Ponemon Institute found that over 45% of IT pros cite public or semi-public spaces as a growing threat vector for data loss via unsecured endpoints.
Tip for businesses: Provide employee training on mobile device security in public areas. Use privacy screens, device locks, and endpoint management tools that allow remote tracking, locking, and wiping in case a device goes missing. Consider devices with built-in alarm features to deter theft in public spaces.
3. Taken during airport security checkpoints on corporate trips
Airports are high-risk zones for corporate devices. A survey by Kensington revealed that 15% of all device thefts occur in airports and hotels. Security checkpoints are particularly vulnerable, as travelers are required to remove laptops and momentarily separate from them.
Amid the rush and crowding, it’s easy for a device to be accidentally left behind—or deliberately taken.
Add to this the fact that business laptops often contain sensitive files and VPN credentials, and the risk of a costly breach becomes very real.
TSA guidance is clear:
“Always watch your belongings as they advance through the X-ray equipment… and insist they’re brought to you during secondary screening.”
Tip for companies: Develop travel protocols that include laptop labeling, asset management enrollment, and endpoint protection with remote wipe features. Use a case designed for security and discretion when transporting laptops through airports. Avoid checked luggage for laptops at all costs.
4. Taken from inside the office or shared workspaces
You might expect your own office to be a secure place for company laptops—but internal theft and unauthorized access are more common than many assume. A 2024 Verizon Data Breach report revealed that 22% of insider data breaches involved physical device theft.
Whether it’s a temporary visitor, third-party contractor, or even a disgruntled former employee, unattended laptops in open-plan offices or coworking spaces are easy targets.
Surveillance cameras can help, but they don’t prevent theft—they only help after the fact, often too late.
Tip for IT admins: Require all devices to be secured with physical locks when not in use. Establish a designated safe place, such as a locked cabinet or secure room, for storing laptops when not in use. Deploy access control policies, workstation timeouts, and real-time tracking to ensure visibility across all endpoints.
5. Lost in libraries or public institutions during off-site work
Libraries and academic spaces may seem safe, but they’re public environments with limited physical security. For companies with remote or hybrid workers who frequent these spaces, there’s a growing concern around accidental device loss or opportunistic theft.
Even brief moments of inattention—during a call, a bathroom break, or a power nap—can lead to stolen devices and compromised data.
According to a report by Absolute Software, 56% of data breaches are linked to lost or stolen devices, many of which were misplaced in public areas.
Tip for companies: Encourage employees to enable anti-theft features like movement alarms, tracking software, geofencing, and immediate alert systems that notify users or security personnel if a device is moved or tampered with. Establish clear BYOD and remote work policies that include laptop theft protection protocols.
Essential steps to take before laptop theft happens
While you can’t completely eliminate the risk of laptop theft, you can significantly reduce its impact with the right preventive measures. For businesses, this isn’t just about protecting hardware—it’s about safeguarding sensitive data, ensuring operational continuity, and minimizing financial or compliance risks.
Preparing ahead of time helps IT teams secure endpoints, support asset recovery, and maintain control over corporate data—even in worst-case scenarios. Additionally, using a professional service for device recovery and support can provide added protection and peace of mind if a device is stolen.
1. Asset documentation is your first line of defense
Every organization should maintain accurate records of issued devices. Document each laptop’s serial number, make, model, and assigned user—and store this information securely in your asset management system.
If a laptop is lost or stolen, having this information readily available speeds up the reporting process with law enforcement and supports insurance claims, which must be filed promptly with the necessary documentation. For additional theft deterrence, businesses can apply asset tags, barcodes, or even custom engravings. Marked devices are less appealing to thieves and easier to trace if recovered.
Why it matters: Well-documented devices support better tracking, increase chances of recovery, and help demonstrate due diligence in security audits or insurance claims.
2. Use security labels and physical markings to deter theft
Visible deterrents can be powerful. Applying tamper-evident security labels that identify the device as part of your organization—and note it is trackable—can discourage opportunistic theft. You can also apply distinctive paint markings, such as indelible markers, to make devices easily identifiable. Distinctive paint markings help make each laptop unique and can aid in recovery if stolen.
Additionally, opt for nondescript carrying cases instead of flashy laptop bags when employees are commuting or traveling. Reducing visibility lowers the chances of being targeted in public places like airports, cafés, or coworking spaces.
Tip for IT managers: Make device labeling and non-branded cases part of your standard hardware provisioning protocol. A small visual cue can prevent a major loss.
3. Secure storage and physical protections reduce exposure
How and where laptops are stored makes a big difference in theft prevention. At the office, laptops should be locked in drawers or secured with cable locks when not in use—especially in shared or open workspaces. In the field or during business travel, devices should never be left unattended.
For hybrid teams, this is even more critical. Employees working from cafés, libraries, or shared housing must follow physical security guidelines to avoid exposing company data.
Combine physical and digital protection:
- Use locks or tethers to secure laptops on the go.
- Backup and encrypt all sensitive data.
- Deploy endpoint protection tools like Prey that support real-time tracking, remote locking, and data wiping.
These combined efforts create a multi-layered defense against both theft and data compromise—helping your business maintain compliance and resilience no matter where your workforce operates.
4. Data protection and backup
Modern operating systems offer robust data protection features, such as full-disk encryption, that can prevent unauthorized access to your sensitive information even if your laptop is stolen or lost. Enabling encryption ensures that only authorized users can access the files stored on your device, significantly reducing the risk of data breaches.
Regularly backing up your data is another essential layer of protection. By storing backups in secure cloud storage services or on encrypted external hard drives, you can ensure that your important files can be recovered even if your laptop is never found. Make it a habit to schedule automatic backups and verify that your sensitive information is always protected. These proactive steps not only help you recover from a lost or stolen laptop but also provide peace of mind that your data remains secure, no matter what happens.
5. Online accounts protection
Start by immediately changing the passwords for all your important accounts, including email, cloud storage, and financial services. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible to add an extra layer of security, making it much harder for thieves to gain access.
Next, disable autofill features and delete any saved passwords from your accounts and browsers to prevent thieves from logging in automatically. Clear your browsing history and remove any stored payment information to reduce the risk of financial misuse. By taking these steps, you can protect your accounts, keep your data safe, and minimize the impact of a stolen laptop on your digital security.
What to do after a laptop is stolen
Despite your best efforts, laptops can still be stolen—and when that happens, your response must be fast, strategic, and compliant. A thief may attempt to access sensitive data or sell the device, so it is crucial to act quickly. Immediately contact relevant parties, such as local authorities and your IT or security team, to help protect your information and increase the chances of recovery.
The first step is to report the theft to local law enforcement, providing key device details like the serial number, asset ID, and last known location. This is critical not only for recovery but also for insurance and regulatory reporting.
At the same time, your IT or security team should immediately:
- Trigger a remote lock or wipe to prevent unauthorized access.
- Revoke system access or VPN credentials associated with the device.
- Notify affected stakeholders if the device contained sensitive or regulated data.
- Assess the risk based on the information stored on the device, including both personal and corporate data.
- Log the incident for compliance tracking and internal audits.
This is where solutions like Prey come in. With Prey, your team can locate devices on a live map, remotely wipe or lock them, collect forensic evidence (like photos and network data), and generate reports that support both recovery efforts and legal proceedings.
In fact, many organizations using Prey have successfully recovered stolen laptops with the help of detailed tracking logs and local authorities—minimizing business disruption and safeguarding critical data.
Recovery workflow for IT teams
When a company device is reported lost or stolen, time is critical. The following step-by-step workflow helps IT and security teams act fast, contain the risk, and maximize the chances of recovery—while staying compliant. Working closely with law enforcement agencies is essential to increase the likelihood of tracking, locating, and recovering the device.
1. Confirm the incident and gather details
- Validate the theft/loss report with the device user.
- Collect device details: serial number, Prey asset name, last known location.
- Retrieve photos, logs, or last activity data if available from your tracking software.
2. Initiate tracking and enable recovery mode
- Use your device management or tracking solution (like Prey) to locate the device.
- Activate tracking mode, camera screenshots, or nearby Wi-Fi data collection to gather evidence.
- Flag the asset in your system as "missing" or "under recovery."
3. Secure your data immediately
- Remotely lock the device or trigger a data wipe if sensitive information is involved.
- Revoke all company account access, VPN credentials, and single sign-on permissions associated with the device.
- Initiate MFA resets for the device user if needed.
4. File a police report and submit documentation
- File a formal theft report with local law enforcement.
- Include tracking logs, photos, IP data, or geolocation reports generated by Prey.
- If applicable, begin an insurance claim using Prey’s recovery evidence and police documentation.
5. Notify stakeholders and manage internal compliance
- Inform HR, legal, or compliance teams if regulated data may have been compromised.
- Follow incident response policies outlined in your organization’s cybersecurity plan.
- Update your asset inventory and document the incident for internal audits.
6. Close the case and apply lessons learned
- If the device is recovered, verify its condition and reimage it before reuse.
- If not, finalize the recovery log and decommission the device.
- Review the incident for process improvements—update policies, employee training, or security protocols as needed.
How Prey helps businesses prevent and respond to laptop theft
When it comes to laptop theft protection, companies need more than just strong policies—they need a scalable solution that puts them in control. Prey was built to help IT teams secure, track, and recover devices across a distributed workforce, with minimal friction and maximum visibility.
Here’s how Prey supports your business every step of the way:
Real-time tracking across all endpoints
Prey lets you monitor every device in your fleet through a centralized Control Panel. You can see current and historical locations, enabling quick response when a device goes missing—no matter where your team is working from.
Remote lock, wipe, and data protection
Whether a device is lost in the field or stolen during travel, Prey allows your IT team to remotely lock or wipe it, protecting sensitive business data from falling into the wrong hands. These actions can be automated through predefined triggers or done manually in real-time.
Evidence reports to support recovery
Prey collects powerful forensic data including photos from the device’s webcam, screenshots, Wi-Fi networks, and IP addresses. These detailed reports assist law enforcement during investigations and support insurance or compliance documentation.
Easy integration and scalable control
With cross-platform support for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, Prey fits seamlessly into your device management strategy. Whether you’re managing 10 laptops or 10,000, you can organize assets by teams, assign permissions, and automate workflows—all from one secure dashboard.
Audit-ready reporting and compliance support
Need to prove your organization has endpoint theft protection in place? Prey’s activity logs and recovery reports make it easier to demonstrate compliance with security standards and show that your organization takes data protection seriously.
Built for the modern workforce
Today’s teams work from everywhere—offices, airports, coworking spaces, home. Prey gives businesses the tools to protect mobile devices in real-world environments, beyond the firewall, and respond swiftly if an incident occurs.
Ready to secure your devices?
Prey is trusted by thousands of businesses, nonprofits, and institutions around the world to protect their endpoints and respond to theft. Whether you’re a small business or a global organization, Prey helps you stay one step ahead of risk.
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