Remote workers ignore security rules

Remote workers constantly defy basic security rules even though they say they understand what’s at stake.

A Cisco survey of more than 1,000 remote workers in 10 countries finds that one in five workers let their friends access the internet from their work machine. One in four will open unknown e-mails, even though they know it’s a bad idea.

Cisco calls for IT heads to keep ramming home the security message to remote workers.

“IT must play a more strategic role, and to do that they need to develop stronger relationships with users to prevent threats from sabotaging efficiency,” says Cisco’s vice-president of security solutions marketing, Jeff Platon.

Other security taboos include accessing a neighbour’s wireless network when working from home, cited by 11% of the global respondents, and indulging in online shopping.