The survey, carried out in conjunction with the US
National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), questioned 700 mobile
employees based in the US, the UK, Germany, China, India, South
Korea, and Singapore.
Researchers found that almost three of every four (73%) mobile
users claimed that they are not always aware of security threats
and best practices when working remotely.
Although many said they are aware "sometimes", more than a
quarter (28%) admitted that they "hardly ever" consider security
risks and proper behaviour.
When asked why they were lax in their security behaviour, many
mobile users offered reasons such as, "I am in a hurry", "I am busy
and need to get work done," and "it is IT's job, not mine".
Almost half (44%) of all mobile users surveyed said they open
emails and attachments from unknown or suspicious sources.
In the UK, China and India, more than half of users admitted to
this behaviour. More than three quarters (76%) said it is more
difficult to identify suspicious emails and files on PDAs and
smartphones than on laptops, because the screens are much
smaller.
With recent research from Korn/Ferry International revealing
that, globally, 81% of executives are constantly connected via
mobile devices, Cisco says the survey's findings are a cause for
concern.
One of the issues contributing to a lack of security when the
workforce becomes mobile is the end-user perception that corporate
mobile devices are also personal devices and that there is little
risk involved in some practices.
Fred Kost, Cisco security adviser, said: "Mobile devices have real
access to real data. The perception is that it's a personal device
– 'I'm on my device.' "
Mobile workers polled said they often use unauthorised wireless
connections. Either hijacking a neighbour's wireless network
connection or an unauthorised connection in a public place, one
third of mobile users said they use unauthorised wireless. Such
activity is illegal in the UK.
China had the most extreme cases, with 54% saying they've used
an unauthorised wireless network.
Ron Teixeira, executive director of NCSA, said: “While this
study shows mobility provides businesses with new risks, so do
other internet services and new technologies. Mobility and the
internet can be used securely and safely if businesses institute a
culture of security within their workforce by providing their
employees with continuous cyber security awareness and education
programs.”
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