Study: Employees engage in risky computing

“The research discovered that despite the security policies, procedures, and tools currently in place, employees around the world are engaging in risky behaviours that put corporate and personal data at risk,” the report states.

The behaviours include using unauthorised applications on business networks, altering security settings and sharing work devices and sensitive information with non-employees.

The study said that employees alter security settings to perform non-work related tasks such as paying bills online, downloading music, looking at pornography or gambling online, which can pose, “serious threats to corporate security and profitability.”

Mobile employees pose a threat, too. More than 75 percent of employees said they do not use a privacy guard when working remotely in a public place, the report states.

The study also suggests ways companies can prevent data leakage. Recommendations include knowing and managing data well, institutionalising standard codes for secure conduct, fostering a culture of openness and trust and establishing security awareness education.