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Young Workers Pose Greater IT Security Risk182
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A survey from Symantec and Applied Research-West reported by Baseline show that younger workers (those born after 1980) pose a greater risk to corporate networks because of their tendency to want to run almost any device and install almost any software on their work machines. Some highlights from the survey show that "younger" workers are twice as likely to use a pda, cell phone, laptop, or other mobile device(59% vs 31%). They are also more likely to install unauthorized software(46% vs 25%) and more likely to visit unauthorized web sites (69% vs 59%). On the flip side though the survey shows that younger workers understand more about network security and are better aware of the dangers associated with security breaches. All this goes back to user education and risk mitigations. Another study out shows that the perception of IT security does not actually meet with the reality of what is going on in this area. IT departments need to focus more on educating users about the dangers of some of the most common risks (e.g. installing rouge software, accessing unauthorized web sites) as well as put in measures to prevent these types of occurrences. If the user community is educated well enough they'll understand the need to limit access to these types of security threats. It is ultimately the job of the IT departments to focus on prevention and mitigation. Vendors should also be focused on doing their part in building more secure apps. You have to remember that users will want to push the envelope with what they can do with their work computers. They use it as an entertainment device, news source, social gathering place, and sometimes they may even do some work on it. I don't think eliminating some of the social aspects of computing will make a work place more productive, but limiting access to it may help. There is no perfect solution only risk management when it comes to IT security. BillP If you enjoyed this posting please subscribe to our RSS feed or submit it to your favorite social networks. Bookmark/Search this post with: |
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Born after 1980 = those who
Born after 1980 = those who grew up in schools an then colleges which were not allowed to lay down and enforce any real rules (due to the threat of lawsuits by hyper-protective parents).
The problem is simply one of self-discipline, or lack of it. It's one of complete disrespect for the rules, why the rules are in place, and most of all, the wisdom and experience of those hired and paid to make those rules.
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