Access member only content, take part in discussions with comments on blogs, news and reviews and receive all the latest security industry news directly to your inbox. Join now for free.
A confirmation email has been sent to your email address - SUPPLIED EMAIL HERE. Please click on the link in the email to verify your email address. You need to verify your email before you can start posting.
If you do not receive your confirmation email within the next few minutes, it may be because the email has been captured by a junk mail filter. Please ensure you add the domain @scmagazine.com.au to your white-listed senders.
A Ponemon Institute survey has blasted corporate USB stick users' "negligence" for not seeking permission before plugging the portable storage media into work computers.
The survey (pdf) of 743 IT and security personnel listed other "negligent" behaviours as using generic USB drives that they received free at conferences and not informing "appropriate authorities" in the event of a lost drive.
Last May, IBM apologised for distributing malware-infected USB keyAustralian security conference AusCERT.
Ponemon suggested such negligence by employees put corporate information at risk.
But it saved some criticism for employers, whom it said were mostly "not willing to pay a premium to ensure USB drives used by employees [were] safe and secure".
The survey, sponsored by memory vendor Kingston, found only 38 percent of organisations supplied employees with an approved USB drive for use in the workplace.
Half of respondents said their firm didn't supply approved sticks; 12 percent said they were "unsure".
Of those respondents who did get a corporate-sanctioned drive, an "extrapolated average" 58 percent still used unauthorised drives as well.
To begin commenting right away, you can log in below or register an account if you don't yet have one. Please read our guidelines on commenting. Offending posts will be removed and your access may be suspended. Abusive or obscene language will not be tolerated. The comments below do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of SC Magazine, Haymarket Media or its employees.