Which Employees Pose the Biggest Risk?

Tech savvy junior sales representatives between the ages of 26-35 pose the highest security risk of all employees.

By Keith Hanks

April 03, 2007 — CSO —

Tech-savvy junior sales representatives between the ages of 26 and 35 pose the highest security risk of all employees because they combine e-mail, instant messenger, VoIP and the Internet without considering the security risk associated with multitasking. The lowest-risk group: middle management male techies, between the ages of 26 and 35, who work within the technology function, according to a recent MessageLabs study.

Utilizing 942 online interviews with IT decision makers, Vanson Bourne conducted the research on behalf of MessageLabs. The study found more than 40 percent of companies surveyed did not provide employee security training. Small businesses were least prepared, with 53 percent having proper IT security procedures in place compared to 69 percent of enterprise companies. Additionally, almost a third of all small business respondents have been impacted by a malware or virus attack.

“Today’s small businesses need to be vigilant about both external and internal security threats. With almost half of all businesses not providing adequate IT security training and the threat landscape constantly evolving, the battle to protect one’s business from online risks is an arduous one,” said Mark Sunner, chief security analyst at MessageLabs.

MessageLabs is searching for six IT security-challenged small businesses in the United States and United Kingdom to receive a security makeover. MessageLabs employs a managed services approach to security, focusing on Web and e-mail threats. To be eligible, you must enter the competition by May 11, 2007.

-Keith Hanks

Read more about data protection in CSOonline's Data Protection section.

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