10 Ways Your Employees Pose a Security Risk for Your Organization

10 Ways Your Employees Pose a Security Risk for Your Organization

By Michael Hickins

1. USB Flash DrivesUnprotected USB drives are a prime way of letting sensitive company data walk out the door. Short of blocking USB flash drives altogether, companies can use device management software to monitor the ways the drives are being used.

10 Ways Your Employees Pose a Security Risk for Your Organization – Laptops

2. LaptopsEmployees are taking laptops everywhere, especially as they get lighter, making them more vulnerable to loss or theft. But even taking them to the safety of employees’ own living rooms doesn-

10 Ways Your Employees Pose a Security Risk for Your Organization – P2P

3. P2PApplications such as Skype and instant messaging create security holes that can let Trojans and other spyware onto your network, particularly if employees are allowed to share those infected files.

10 Ways Your Employees Pose a Security Risk for Your Organization – 4. Web Mail

4. Web MailEmployees sending sensitive work files to their unaudited personal Web addresses are vulnerable to having their accounts hacked and critical company data stolen because, in theory, Web mail doesn-

10 Ways Your Employees Pose a Security Risk for Your Organization – Wi-Fi

5. Wi-FiLogging onto unsecured wireless networks at home, the local Starbucks or on the road leaves data at risk unless employees are careful to log onto networks through a VPN or take other security measures.

10 Ways Your Employees Pose a Security Risk for Your Organization – Smart Phones

6. Smart PhonesAllowing employees to bring nonstandard-issue smart phones and PDAs into the workplace means they-

10 Ways Your Employees Pose a Security Risk for Your Organization – Collaboration Tools & Hosted Software

7. Collaboration Tools & Hosted SoftwareCollaboration tools such as SharePoint, wikis and even e-mail distribution systems are great in theory but security risks in practice, unless administrators actively monitor the distribution and usage of user names and passwords. Not taking these security measures leaves the systems open to people who should not have access.

10 Ways Your Employees Pose a Security Risk for Your Organization – Social Networks

8. Social NetworksFacebook and MySpace in particular are unsecured and invite employees to share critical information while wasting time, while add-on applications available through those sites could hide malware and spyware, posing additional security threats.

10 Ways Your Employees Pose a Security Risk for Your Organization – Unauthorized Software Updates

9. Unauthorized Software UpdatesAllowing employees to download patches or upgrades before your networks are ready can render user PCs and the network itself vulnerable to hacks and other security attacks.

10 Ways Your Employees Pose a Security Risk for Your Organization – Virtual Worlds

10. Virtual WorldsAvatars posing as colleagues or –