Shifting Network Security Focus Toward the Employee

Although cybercriminal attacks are a major cause for concern within corporate IT environments, administrators may be wise to direct their attention toward the internal threats presented by careless or malicious employee actions.

According to BusinessNewsDaily contributor Kim Ann Zimmermann, IT managers are facing an ongoing struggle to get everyone in their offices on board with data security and risk management initiatives. Citing research from security software vendor Avira, Zimmermann said fewer than four in 10 employees adhere to workplace security policies. Additionally, approximately one-third of respondents indicated that there was a prevailing attitude of indifference regarding rule violations.

Many times, companies will turn to strong, centralized management strategies in their IT departments to neutralize the damage of risky employee actions. However, emerging research has suggested that these trusted administrators may also be placing companies in compromising positions.

According to a recent survey of 5,500 global IT managers conducted by the Ponemon Institute, more than half of respondents suggested that they have been given access to restricted, confidential information beyond the requirements of their job function. Approximately six in 10 respondents admitted to accessing sensitive corporate data merely out of curiosity - though that figure may be just the tip of the iceberg.