Can you afford theft?

According to a study by Bryte Insurance, theft and theft by force account for two of the three biggest threats to businesses with regards to crime – and electronics are a prime target for thieves.

While insurance policies protect business and private individuals against the full cost of the loss, theft has a further toll on businesses.

“The loss of data that goes with the theft of laptops can be even more incapacitating than the financial loss. International statistics say that as much as 75 percent of small businesses do not have a disaster recovery plan. While it is something we should all do, the truth is many of us neglect to back-up as often as we should. Further stats say that more than half of businesses fail as a result of this loss,” says the MD of Legratron Electronics, Itumeleng Matshego.

Additionally, underinsurance is a massive problem in South Africa. “It is estimated that as much as 50 percent of South Africans have no insurance whatsoever. For these individuals, the loss of electronics can be financially devastating. Replacement costs soar into the thousands.”

This should lead South Africans to ask themselves whether they can afford the theft of their valuables, even those with insurance. “The loss of electronic valuables has many other far-reaching, consequences, which are not easily resolved without financial resources and professional data recovery plans that are 100-percent up-to-date.

“If stolen items could be recovered, the financial loss, challenges to business continuity and hassle can be considerably reduced. Without the correct team behind you, however, this is impossible. It is for this reason that Legratron Electronics has ensured that its tracking and recovery system can be used in electronics as well.

“We aim to empower businesses and individuals to recover their items, rather than just accept this loss as par for the course. South Africans can empower themselves against theft,” concludes Matshego.