Stolen or lost device
When a smartphone, tablet or laptop is lost or stolen, it can have serious consequences for both you and your organisation. Not only do you run the risk of misuse of company data, but there may also be a data breach or financial damage. That is why it is important to act immediately and in a structured manner. The steps below will help you to take the right measures quickly and limit the damage.
Checklist actions after theft or loss of a device
Your business laptop, smartphone, tablet, or other mobile device has been stolen or lost. What should you or your employee do now? In any case, think about the following things.
Have your employee report the lost device to you.
In the case of smartphones and mobile devices, have the SIM card blocked by the supplier to prevent misuse or extra costs.
In the event of theft, report it to the police.
Determine what protective measures were installed on the stolen or lost device.
Try to find out what sensitive information was stored on the device.
If privacy-sensitive data is stored unencrypted on the missing laptop, it is a data breach. You must always report a data breach.
If business or customer-sensitive information was also lost, extra steps may need to be taken to deal with this incident.
List the usernames used on the device and block or change the passwords of these usernames.
Report the theft to the device supplier or the company that provides service and maintenance for the device. Sometimes stolen equipment is presented to the supplier for repair or maintenance and can be traced.
Tips for locating your smartphone or tablet
If you have lost a business smartphone or tablet, it is important to act quickly.
Here are some tips for locating your lost or stolen device.
1. Find a lost iPhone or iPad
There are several ways to find a lost iPhone or iPad:
- Use an Apple Watch
- Use “Find My Device” on iCloud.com/find
- Use the Find My app on another device
- Use a family member's device
If your iPhone or iPad is permanently lost, you can remotely erase its contents.
2. Find a lost Android device
There are several ways to find a lost Android device:
- Use the Find My Device app
- Find your device with your Wear OS smartwatch.
If your Android device is permanently lost, you can remotely erase its contents.
Read more information (in Dutch) about using the location feature here.
3. Preventive measure: Write down the IMEI number of your mobile device
Write down the IMEI number of your mobile device(s) and keep it in a safe place. You will need this IMEI number to report the loss. IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identification. It is the serial number of your phone. You can find the IMEI number by entering *#06# on your mobile device.
You can also find the IMEI code for new mobile phones via an app or an internet browser. For example, via Apple's “Find My” function or Android's “Find My Device”.
4. Never take matters into your own hands
If you know that your phone is in the hands of a thief, do not try to intervene yourself.
Inform the police and report that you have been able to locate your phone.