Survey finds USB consumerism spiralling out of control
1 min read
Organisations are still failing to grasp the importance of controlling USB device usage, according to an online survey, which finds a quarter of workers now use 10 or more.
The study suggests that USB Flash drive ownership has exploded, with 100% of the 229 respondents having at least one, 54% possessing between three and six, and more than 21% owning 10 or more.
Credant Technologies CEO Bob Heard says this is unwelcome news for security and compliance teams tasked with protecting sensitive data.
"Companies are spending millions on their security and it could all be in vain if they fail to close this basic area of vulnerability," says Heard.
"If they have a workforce that is using USB storage media, blissfully unaware of the potential mayhem that these devices could cause, no matter how much is spent the enterprise will never be secure," he insists.
And with greater than 85% of respondents confirming that their companies allow the use of these removable media devices – and many of those working where USB drives are banned confirming that they use them anyway – Heard makes the point that it is very worrying that more than half confirm that their USBs are not encrypted.
