GFI Software announced the findings of an extensive independent
research project looking at end user use of mobile devices at work
and in their daily commute to and from the workplace, which revealed
that commuters are using free, unsecured and unknown Wi-Fi services
for accessing sensitive company data in greater numbers.
The survey of 1,001 UK office workers with a tablet or smartphone
who travel to and from work on a train, bus or tube was carried out
by Opinion Matters, and revealed not only that mobile devices and
using data services are firmly entrenched as the primary activity of
the average commuter, but also that commuters and their employers
are falling foul of data security issues, as well as heightened risk
of physical crime.
100% of the survey respondents acknowledged that they used open,
public Wi-Fi connections at least once a week to carry out
work-related tasks such as sending and receiving email, reviewing
and editing documents and logging into other company servers and
storage repositories.
On average, users connected to public Wi-Fi to do work and access
work systems 15 times a week, putting company data and passwords at
risk from packet sniffing and other forms of traffic interception.
via [1]Travelers regularly connect to free, unsecure Wi-Fi networks.
Mobile users, especially those that travel regularly, are prime targets
in any enterprise. Security education needs to start with these users
but often aren't. Heavy travelers tend toward high-ranking managers or
corporate officers. They tend towards:
* Security breeches are something that happens to other people
* I'm too important
* Nothing bad ever happens to me
The coddling nature of many corporate IT departments to the higher-ups
ultimately lead to major security breaches. The "velvet glove" approach
to executives encourages the sense of invincibility that leads to a
major security breach.
IT departments would do better by treating all users as adults and
professionals able to handle direction and constructive criticism.
By extension, a manager or corporate officer - made aware of the real
threat - will be more likely to fire up the VPN than surf the
unprotected wifi.
Your mileage may vary.
What is your take?
__________________________________________________________________
My original entry is here: [2]Travelers regularly connect to free,
unsecure Wi-Fi networks. It posted Thu, 19 Sep 2013 23:40:21 +0000.
Filed under: travel, InfoSec, wifi,
References
1.
http://www.net-security.org/secworld.php?id=15587&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HelpNetSecurity+%28Help+Net+Security%29
2.
https://www.prjorgensen.com/2013/09/19/travelers-regularly-connect-to-free-unsecure-wi-fi-networks/
