Report: Remote Workers Have Risky Online Behavior

A new report from InsightExpress, commissioned by Cisco Systems, states that remote workers still engage in risky behavior despite knowing about security risks with them and their data, International Business Times reports.

According to the report, workers share work computers with non-employees, open unknown e-mails and hijack neighbors’ wireless networks, and these activities may compromise the security of the users’ data.

In China, Italy and Brazil, approximately one of every five workers admitted they accessed a neighbor’s wireless network when working from home, IBTimes.com reports. The global average was 11 percent.

“Hijacking wireless networks or sharing corporate devices with non-employees is a significant risk for the global IT community,” said Jeff Platon, Cisco’s vice president of Security Solutions Marketing, IBTimes.com reports. “To highlight the U.S. example, the unsafe behavior of 11 remote workers in a company of 100 can bring down a network or compromise corporate information and personal identities. It only takes one security breach.”

The report also states that one of every four remote employees surveyed admitted to opening unknown e-mails on work computers.

IBTimes.com writes that the challenges posed by remote workers present an opportunity for IT and security teams to become more proactive in protecting their businesses and reshape their role in the eyes of end users—a role that has historically been tactical and reactive.

Compiled by Paul Kerstein

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