Employees take unnecessary risks with laptops

The Trust and Risk in the Workplace Study, conducted by Dr. Monica Whitty of Queen’s University Belfast, reveals that employees are taking unnecessary risks with their laptops.

The study surveyed 1000 mobile and desktop employees across the US, Australia, the Netherlands, Singapore and the UK. The study indicates that employees in all regions take unnecessary security risks, but that mobile users take more risks. In fact, laptop users take risks far more than their desktop counterparts – with two thirds using unsecured wireless hotspots.

“Almost two thirds of our sample would blame their employer if confidential data was stolen from their work computers,” Whitty said. “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.”

Laptops pose an increased risk for data security and security policies often overlook the extra protocols that should be applied to mobile devices. Risky behaviours included using USB keys, Instant Messaging, downloading music, and sending confidential information via email. Whether these activities are conducted internally or via an offsite (and potentially unsecured) wireless access point, the company is put at risk.

Some facts from the study:

• 58% of respondents send confidential information via email
• 80% use USB devices
• 67% use wireless hotspots on their work laptops
• 53% would blame the company if their identity were stolen
• 64% would blame the company if a data breach occurred on their computer

The data indicates that employees are not willing to take responsibility for data security, particularly in the case of laptops. Security policies must address these issues with proper employee training and protocols.

Via futuresoft, The Telegraph, CNBC ; Tags: laptop security, data security, data breach, security policy, employee training, employee responsibility, confidential information, computer practices