Security professionals at Infosec Europe 2008 are ignoring their own message and leaving laptops lying around without locking them down securely.

Microsoft's latest security report highlighted that lost equipment now accounts for over half of all security problems.

But physical security firm Kensington took a stroll around the show and found that only 61 of 315 laptops on exhibitors' stands were locked down.

The spot check suggests that, although many exhibitors had locked down their monitors, the majority relied on staff to monitor laptop safety.

This is a nearly impossible task, according to Kensington, considering the thousands of visitors passing through the venue.

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"It is quite a faux pas for these experts in computer and data security to neglect the physical security of their laptops, especially at the most 'secure' show in Europe," said Bruce Sykes, regional sales director at Kensington Northern Europe.

The company performed a similar check at the 2005 show, finding that 70 per cent of laptops were left unlocked.

Sykes was "flabbergasted" that the problem is worse than it was two years ago. "Laptops at a show like this contain very valuable information," he said.

"Even if it is a blank machine used just for the show it contains company presentations and information provided by potential customers.

"Locks are the first line of defence in preventing data theft and are an inexpensive deterrent that should be considered part of any data security strategy."