In Brief

Does Your Generation Pose an Office Security Risk?

From Baby Boom to Echo Boom: Why your birthday could mean your boss needs to watch out for you

By Joan Goodchild, Senior Editor

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Generation X, at one point known as the slacker generation, is the group born between 1965 and 1982. Gen X is the MTV generation; kids who came of age during the Reagan-era and the Cold War. If you are a Gen Xer, when asked about the death of Kennedy, you're more likely to remember that fateful plane crash involving JFK Jr. instead of his Dad.

IT security: Gen Xers tend to be comfortable with technology and know how to use it properly. Technology has been part of your life all along and many Xers were part of the first tech companies that revolutionized the industry. Gen X was also on the job when the dot-com bubble burst.
"Gen Xers were the original latch-key kids," said Matuson.
Consequently, the independence this generation experienced as kids has led them to be adaptable. Unlike their younger Millennial counter parts, Gen Xers tend to keep work and home life separate and may be less likely to use corporate computers for personal use.

Physical Security: Sandwiched in the middle, Gen Xers tend to share values with both Gen Y and Boomers. But Gen Xers often want to be left alone to do their work. They can get annoyed when micro-managed, according to Matuson.

ID and Access: This is an area where the boss might need to watch you. While Gen Xers have grown past their slacker years to become successful workplace leaders, they still have a lot of their independent streak, said Dowling. That can be a problem when it comes to building security and access. Gen Xers may be more likely to do compromising things, like share security codes and cards.
"They like to reject the rules. The have their own way of doing things," said Dowling. "They tend to look for ways around the system, may not realize the security value and are probably less likely to comply."

Baby Boomer

You are part of the Baby Boom generation if you were born between 1946 and 1964 — a time when the US birthrate spiked dramatically. Some defining events of your young life include the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the debate over communism and the Beatles invasion. Characteristically, you are known as loyal, dependable and can often be a workaholic.

IT security: When it comes to technology at work, you may feel like a fish out of water. This lack of comfort, and your potential gap in knowledge when it comes to using technology, can mean your company's sensitive data is at risk. Make sure you know how to use a system.
"Gen X/Y/Z employees often understand the nuances of the new technologies they bring, whereas Boomers may be equipped with the same technology but not as familiar with all of the functionality," said Aaron Wilson, chief technology officer in the Managed Security Services division of Science Applications International Corp. "This can be dangerous from a security standpoint."