I used to think there was no privacy on the Internet because if folks can hack the FBI and the CIA, surely they can hack TradeShowTraining. The question is - why would they want to get into my site. What you see is what you get – there is no hidden information or agenda.

But now I have different concerns. It’s not hackers going into servers to rip off data and details despite top-flight security measures.

It’s ordinary folks who are being sloppy with corporate information that may affect you directly.

INTERESTING - According to a recent survey by Ernst & Young LLP: 74% of the respondents ... reported losses resulting from a security breach over the prior two years. ... and yet E&Y just reported a breach of its own – a laptop stolen from an employee’s car containing 243,000 records of Hotel.com customers.

The US Dept of Veterans Affairs reported 26.5 million records stolen from an employee’s computer at home. The employee was not supposed to have these records, but apparently had been working on them at home for three years.

WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH TRADE SHOWS? You know your electronics have a higher chance of being stolen when you travel. You try to take normal precautions so you don’t get ripped off – but that’s not the point.

This is Important – Do you have information, records and other data that --

(1) You are not supposed to have?
(2) Is legitimately yours but is sensitive?
(3) Could compromise security if stolen?
(4) Provides competitive intelligence?
(5) Is not easily replaced or replicated?

I’m not speaking of social security, credit card numbers, and personal data that would be used for identity theft. Let’s look at critical corporate information that should not see the light of day outside of certain departments.

At a trade show, you probably have customer records, quotes, presentations, deals you are working on, your address book. e-mail and personal information you think is hidden but a good hacker can easily interpret.

Just as I advise clients to clean out their wallets to the bare minimum and pack sparingly, so too, do I advise you to strip down the laptop. This is especially important if you plan to use your laptop as a demonstration piece in the booth. You don't want to give prospects access to everything.

Accidents happen. Thefts occur. But if you are caught empty handed because your laptop with critical information – especially info you are not supposed to have– is missing --- well..... You design the appropriate response and punishment for you.

Julia O'Connor - Speaker, Author, Consultant - writes about practical aspects of trade shows. As president of Trade Show Training, inc,, now celebrating its 11th year, she works with companies in a variety of industries to improve their bottom line and marketing opportunities at trade shows.

Julia is an expert in the psychology of the trade show environment and uses this expertise in sales training and management seminars. Contact her at 804-355-7800 or check the site http://www.TradeShowTraining.com

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