IT directors need to set
strict policies for mobile workers or risk opening up their
corporate data to
malicious hackers as laptop users are oblivious to the risks of
insecure networks.
This is a key message from the latest global
Trust & Risk in the Workplace study from SurfControl, which
was conducted by Monica Whitty of Queen’s University Belfast.
According to a third global study of internet habits from
SurfControl, which interviewed 1000 workers in five countries, 80%
of laptop users connect to the internet from outside the office
through less secure networks and two-thirds use wireless
hotspots.
“Given that security breaches and careless mistakes can lead to
the loss or theft of confidential information, employers should be
cautious when it comes to protecting confidential data,” said
Whitty.
IDC analyst Eric Domage said most corporates already have some
kind of
data protection policy but not necessarily to cover mobile
workers. “Most of the companies neglect user situation and forget
to set rules for mobile use, remote access and pubic area working
sessions. As a matter of fact, laptops allow user to work
everywhere and the IT Security policy must apply everywhere the
user is.”
He said the biggest risk associated with mobility is data
leakage. “A powerful laptop can contain 40GB of data. In one case
in the UK, a stolen laptop had 11 millions clients' details,” he
added.
Network Access Control Learning Guide >>
Business data protection: the expert view >>
Control in a mobile world >>
Read the SurfControl study >>
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