SubscribeIf you have spent years building a comprehensive business model, and years gaining loyal customers, why risk losing it in a matter of seconds?
Technology moves at lightning speed, and more often than not information security systems are behind the times. Recent studies show that stealing intellectual property has been made easier by the proliferation of high-capacity digital storage devices. Pod slurping is the use of a portable storage device, like an iPod, to illicitly download a network's sensitive data, usually from within a firewall.
It is a sad fact that criminals evolve with technology, often faster than we defend ourselves from a potential threat. You might be surprised to learn that a device like an iPod, connected to a computer on your network through a simple USB cord could transfer 100 MB of Word, Excel, PDF files - basically anything which might contain business data in 120 seconds. In the time it took to read this paragraph, a criminal could funnel millions of potentially devastating files from your network. A shocking study conducted by the Gartner group conveys that 70% of unauthorized access to information systems comes from employees.
In the workplace, it's becoming more common for managers to allow employees to listen to iPods or use other personal electronics on the job, and most managers find this sort of activity harmless. After all, the iPod allows its user to listen to their choice of music without disrupting others, and allowing employees the small conveniences of home can very often create an upbeat environment.
Unfortunately, the use of such devices can pose a very significant threat to your organization. Many digital cameras, cellular phones, and digital media players, come with drivers installed into the hardware, meaning they literally plug and play. With faster bit-rates, and USB ports, thousands of spreadsheets and documents can be downloaded in minutes. Likewise, malicious software can be uploaded to your network in minutes.
How can corporations effectively reduce the risk of data theft? Portable devices more often than not have a practical and beneficial value to offer the workplace. A company-wide ban is counter-productive, as well as draconian. There are legitimate uses for iPods, Palm Pilots, digital camera, and smart phones. Rather than slashing company morale as well as attempting to enforce a rule banning devices often smaller than a credit card, companies should protect their information by introducing technological barriers such as GFI EndPointSecurity. GFI EndPointSecurity is a software solution that allows total control over data transfers, to and from portable storage devices on a user by user basis throughout the network.
The threat of corporate espionage, such as iPod slurping, is taking up more and more of every company's IT budget due to two major factors: the Federal Government has imposed stricter regulations requiring corporations to protect information about their clients, and the wave of malevolent threats from Virus, Trojan, and worm attacks has increased in creativity and frequency. Unfortunately, all attacks directed at your firm may not be from malicious third-parties. The idea of iPod slurping, in and of itself, proves a significant threat posed by maligned employees.
GFI EndPointSecurity puts your company's IT dollars in the places it belongs. Too many companies become the victims of an "enemy within" while foolishly watching their borders for an invasion. GFI EndPointSecurity allows your company to decide who is allowed to transfer data from your network, what data can be transferred, and can produce accurate reports of such information. Ultimately, the only true way to protect your customers and your organization from iPod slurping is through a network security solution. With GFI as a partner, you can protect every byte of information on your network without taking away your employees' rights to personal electronics. It's a win-win situation.
Find out more about GFI EndPointSecurity at http://www.gfi.com/endpointsecurity/ and download a free, fully functional, 30-day trial today.