--- title: "Theft Protection: One-Fifth of Stolen Devices Contain Important Data" description: Mobile devices are getting smarter, allowing people to work on-the-go and access information anytime, anywhere. But while technological advances provide unprecedented opportunities for mobile workers, they also present more data security challenges. canonical_url: https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/theft-protection-one-fifth-stolen-devices-contain-important-data/ locale: en last_updated: 2026-10-27 --- [Acronis Blog](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/) # Theft Protection: One-Fifth of Stolen Devices Contain Important Data Mobile devices are getting smarter, allowing people to work on-the-go and access information anytime, anywhere. But while technological advances provide unprecedented opportunities for mobile workers, they also present more data security challenges. [Learn More](https://www.acronis.com/en/products/cyber-protect/) [![Image 2: Acronis Editorial Team](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/d85707ae91461544212d39836dc32b42.png)](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/authors/acronis/ "Acronis Editorial Team") [Acronis Editorial Team](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/authors/acronis/) 1 min read Last updated 26 January 2015 Mobile devices are getting smarter, allowing people to work on-the-go and access information anytime, anywhere. But while technological advances provide unprecedented opportunities for mobile workers, they also present more data security challenges. In the UK, 20 percent of stolen mobile and computing devices contain important data, according to research from network security vendor ViaSat. While most devices are stolen for the value of the hardware on the second-hand market, a growing number of those devices have their content accessed by someone other than their owners, Ernst & Young reports. More than 164,192 pieces of computing and communications equipment were stolen across the UK between March 2013 and February 2014, and companies reported 14 percent of those thefts. When it’s a company device that’s stolen, or even a personal one with sensitive company information, compliance issues arise. If sensitive client information is exposed, for instance, the device owner and her employer could be on the hook. “If less than 1 percent of the devices stolen in burglaries or personal thefts contained any sensitive information, that is still a huge amount in the wrong hands,” Chris McIntosh, CEO of ViaSat UK, told IT Pro. In the U.S., Consumer Reports estimates that 3.1 million phones were stolen in 2013 — a 100 percent increase from 2012. About one-third of smartphone owners surveyed weren’t taking even the simplest measures to protect their phones and the data on them. With theft of mobile devices on the rise, it’s more important than ever to secure sensitive information. “It’s clear the need to protect personal information must be understood by everyone, from heads of security to housewives and husbands,” McIntosh says. [_Image via Can Stock]_ [Cybersecurity](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/cybersecurity/) [Cyber protection](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/cyber-protection/) ## Written by ![Image 3: Acronis Editorial Team](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/d85707ae91461544212d39836dc32b42.png) Acronis Editorial Team Acronis is a global cyber protection company that provides natively integrated cybersecurity, data protection, and endpoint management for managed service providers (MSPs), small and medium businesses (SMBs), and enterprise IT departments. [Previous post](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/what-major-it-shifts-mean-channel-partner-vendor-relationship-qa-acronis-david-junca/) [What Major IT Shifts Mean for the Channel Partner-Vendor Relationship: Q&A With Acronis' David Junca](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/what-major-it-shifts-mean-channel-partner-vendor-relationship-qa-acronis-david-junca/) [Next post](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/nsas-big-data-storage-challenges-and-byod-data-security-weekly-roundup/) [The NSA's Big Data Storage Challenges and BYOD Data Security: Weekly Roundup](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/nsas-big-data-storage-challenges-and-byod-data-security-weekly-roundup/) About Acronis Acronis is a leader in AI-native cyber protection, unifying data protection, cybersecurity, IT operations and hybrid infrastructure to deliver business continuity, security and compliance with less cost and complexity. More than 21,000 service providers trust Acronis to protect over 750,000 businesses in 150 countries. Acronis is headquartered in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. [Add as a preferred source on Google](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=acronis.com) ## Related stories Want to learn more? Read the latest stories featuring this solution on our blog. [Acronis Blog](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/) ![Image 4: stc Bahrain and Acronis partner to bring advanced endpoint security to businesses in Bahrain](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/9600f3eea83b8f4e168ea6c1409c8c26.png) [stc Bahrain and Acronis partner to bring advanced endpoint security to businesses in Bahrain](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/stc-bahrain-and-acronis-partner-to-bring-endpoint-security-to-businesses/) We are proud to announce a strategic partnership with stc Bahrain, expanding access to advanced cybersecurity services for businesses across Bahrain. **October 26, 2026**3 min read ![Image 5: Introducing New Acronis CEO: Prakash Panjwani](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/30cb571f6f1aaa131733e5727a4a250c.png) [Introducing New Acronis CEO: Prakash Panjwani](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/introducing-new-acronis-ceo-prakash-panjwani/) We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new Chief Executive Officer, Prakash Panjwani. A veteran cybersecurity CEO, Panjwani previously served as CEO of WatchGuard Technologies and SafeNet. **October 15, 2026**2 min read ![Image 6: Acronis expands MDR toward broader workspace protection](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/18e90e89f5ec4ef0901f19008d4ccbf2.png) [Acronis expands MDR toward broader workspace protection](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/acronis-expands-mdr-toward-broader-workspace-protection/) Acronis is expanding the MDR service with capabilities that make this expertise easier to deliver and help partners address more risks. The developments build on a broader commitment to managed security: helping service providers protect the connected workspace while giving customers access to the expertise needed to investigate threats, respond effectively and maintain business continuity. **October 13, 2026**6 min read