Physical Security Threats and Solutions

1. Threat: Surges in electrical power, often caused by lightning, may burn out electronic components in the computer.
   Control: Use an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), which regulates the incoming voltage and produces a clean output signal. If the voltage gets high, the UPS trims it. If the voltage drops, the UPS uses its internal battery to supply the computer with power for a few minutes, enough to either turn off the computer or start an alternative generator.
2. Threat: Fire, in cases where water as an extinguisher might damage electronic devices.
   Control: Use special liquid chemicals, e.g., NOVEC, which extinguishes fire and evaporates quickly enough before damaging devices.
3. Threat: Theft of electronic devices and hardware.
   Control 1: To mitigate theft of mobile devices, use special applications that can remotely lock your device and/or wipe out its content (to prevent the thief from accessing your data.)
   Control 2: To mitigate theft of a laptop, make sure to encrypt all sensitive data.
   Control 3: Also for laptops: if used in a public place, tie it to a heavy object (cabinet, desk, etc.) with a lock.