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| Mobile workers adopting bad security habits |
May 5, 2008 |
 By Peter Wolchak
Risky behaviour almost as common as employee excuses
The popularity of telecommuting and mobile work is increasing, while at the same time workers are adopting dangerous security habits, warns a recent study from Cisco.
The company cites 2007 stats from Gartner which show the worldwide corporate teleworking population—individuals who spend at least one day a month teleworking from home—is expected to undergo a compound annual growth rate of 4.3 per cent between 2007 and 2011; the number who telework once a week will show compound growth of 4.4 per cent.
While this is occurring, survey respondents believe their remote workers are becoming less diligent toward security awareness, an 11-point increase from the year before. “While working at home, people tend to let their guard down more than they do at the office, so adhering to security policies doesn’t always intuitively seem applicable or as necessary,” said John N. Stewart, Cisco’s chief security officer.
Some of this risky behaviour includes:
X opening e-mail and attachments from unknown or suspicious sources. This continues even though it’s a well-known security risk.
X using work computers and devices for personal use. This is up three per cent year over year. Justifications offered include “My company doesn’t mind me doing so,” “I’m alone and have spare time” and “My boss isn’t around.”
X allowing non-employees to borrow work computers and devices. Non-employees are not held to a company’s security policies. Employees say: “My company doesn’t mind me doing so,” “I don’t think it increases security risks,” “Co-workers do it.”
X hijacking wireless Internet connections from neighbours. Globally, 12 per cent of remote workers admit to accessing a neighbour’s wireless connection. Reasons offered: “It’s more convenient than using my wireless connection” and “My neighbour doesn’t know, so it’s OK.”
X accessing work files with personal, non-IT-protected devices. Justifications for this include: “These devices are secured with antivirus and other content security software,” and “I regularly use these devices to access my network.”
Cisco said IT departments need a proactive approach to influencing corporate security; awareness, education and sustained communication are as important as purchasing firewall software.
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