Rising amount of portable storage devices is causing an unprecedented security risk

(23/10/2006)

As flexible working practices become more popular, USB drives are becoming cheaper and have bigger memories, and, as a result, can hold large amounts of information. Viruses can open and run automatically, as soon as a USB device is plugged in to a computer – increasing the ease with which viruses can be transferred on to a network and data can be removed.

Centennial Software warns that the rising amount of portable storage devices is causing an unprecedented security risk.

This is in response to research which has revealed that one in three UK employees uses at least three USB drives in the office every day. As a result, Centennial Software believes that employers should cut down the number of unauthorised devices in the workplace by complementing existing security policies with the offer of a charity donation for every USB drive handed in.

Centennial is even offering to safely wipe and dispose of unwanted devices. This call for a USB amnesty comes at a time when consumers and businesses need to become more aware of how common ID fraud is.

Matt Fisher, VP at Centennial believes that the security risk around these devices is getting out of hand. “You only have to visit a trade show or go to a sales conference to see just how many free branded USB drives are handed out, with no question of what might be on a device already or where it has been. These are often then shared among friends, colleagues and family, and are frequently just left on public transport.

“The proliferation of USB sticks has sparked portable panic in the enterprise, as this government-sponsored national awareness week proves. The IT borders have been opened up and without technology to prevent the connection of these devices to company PCs, the IT manager is no longer in control of what enters and leaves the network,” he said.

Employers could offer a charity donation for each drive that is returned, which Fisher believes is a small price to pay to get this unprecedented security risk under control. He continued: “Gone are the days when viruses were the sole concern of the IT manager. When there’s a possible network entry point on every machine, businesses must urge staff to take collective responsibility for security. If an amnesty is what it takes to do this, that’s what must happen.”

As a longer-term solution to the proliferation of USB and other portable storage devices invading the network, organisations could consider using endpoint security tools which enable IT departments to monitor and manage the multitude of portable media devices, for example USB drives, iPods and digital cameras, that are frequently brought into the office.

Related topics:  IT Network and Computer Security   Security market sectors 

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