This was actually reported on 4/9/13
On 4/9/2013 10:49 AM, Warner Finance Dept wrote:
Hi Dan, A question was raised about how safe is it to have the laptop leave the office. There was concern about social security numbers etc. I do not have any social security numbers in any of my files saved on the laptop. The information is in the MuniSmart system that needs to be logged into. Mary and myself are the only two that have passwords to log into MuniSmart. As you know I also use the fingerprint to access the computer so no one else could access it other than myself and Mary who also uses her fingerprint. I am having surgery and planned on bringing the laptop home to work and wanted to see what your thoughts are on the safety issue. I logged off the computer and shut down as soon as I am finished working and always put in our fireproof safe when I take it home. Thanks for any information you can give me.
Tracey, The MuniSmart software should be storing all employee data in an encrypted format. I would be very surprised to find out otherwise. I have submitted a question to Harris Computer Systems (the makers of MuniSmart) asking them to confirm that data is stored encrypted. Your usage pattern of storing the laptop in a safe when not in use is more secure than what is in practice at the Town Hall for the office PCs and laptops. One difference between the Town Hall and any offsite location is that the Town Hall has a hardware firewall. Given that the laptop is not left running unattended when it is not at the Town Hall and the laptop has up-to-date antivirus software, I do not have any concerns about the safety of the data on the laptop when it is not in the Town Hall.