This week’s Tip of the Week will give me a chance to give one nod to the naysayers.

Whenever a major data breach happens, such as the several that have plagued Oklahoma this year, I read the comments of the news coverage articles. These comment boards are filled with angry citizens, virtually yelling their displeasure, asking “Why was this data even on a laptop?!” and screaming “That data shouldn’t be on a laptop!” and so forth.

I disagree.

I thoroughly disagree.

This is the year 2009. Mobility can yield a dramatic, and I mean dramatic, rise in productivity. (It can also do the exact opposite, by the way).

Asking “why was this data even on a laptop” is the wrong question entirely. The question is “Why wasn’t this laptop properly secured?”

Just because an airplane crashes doesn’t mean we completely abolish all air travel, all over the world, forever and immediately, does it? Proper security can and does make data on the move aboard a laptop to be quite safe.

But now that I’ve granted myself that long caveat, I will say: they’re right, on one principle. Or, that is, let’s not tempt disaster for no reason.

Yes, the data can be properly encrypted, the laptop properly tracked, marked, and accessible remotely. Yes, the system can be well-secured.

But let’s not crash the airplane just for kicks.

So do ask yourself:

• Do I really need this data on my laptop?
• Could this data be stored “centrally” in a secure area instead?
• Do I really need my laptop on this part of my trip? Could I leave it at home or in a safe place for the evening (plain sight isn’t safe)?

If not, then use some common sense. Let’s not test the emergency landing system on the aircraft just because we installed it.