Holiday Gadgets Raise Endpoint Security Concerns

Dec 19, 2007 3:59 PM

           

Centennial Software, a developer of endpoint security and IT asset management solutions, has warned organizations to prepare for an influx of personal IT gadgets on the corporate network when employees return to work after the holiday season. These devices -- such as MP3 players, digital cameras and other mobile devices -- can bring unwanted software onto the network and serve (intentionally or unintentionally) as a tool for the illegal acquisition of corporate data and information.

Centennial recommends IT security professionals implement four simple New Year resolutions that will help mitigate security issues associated with portable storage devices in 2008:

* Make sure all security policies are up-to-date
* Send a company-wide e-mail to remind employees of usage policies
* Get visibility of all device connections and data transfers
* Implement technology to stop unauthorized device connections

"Portable storage devices are increasingly popular, and with the holidays come a whole slew of the latest high-tech toys," says Bill Piwonka, vice president of product management at Centennial Software. "For a network manager, these gadgets can raise security concerns as employees start plugging into the network. It's imperative to protect the corporate network with an effective endpoint security strategy that combines policies to educate, with technology to enforce acceptable behavior."

According to PC Magazine's 2007 Holiday Gift Guide, some of the hot new tech gadgets being recommended this year include:

* Mobile Phones and PDAs -- Motorola RAZR2, Nokia 6300, Blackberry Curve 8320, Palm Centro, LG VX10000 Voyager

* MP3 and Flash Players -- Apple iPod Touch, Samsung YP-U3, Microsoft Zune 80GB, iriver clix gen 2

* Digital Cameras -- Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3, Canon PowerShot SD1000, Fuji FinePix F50fd, Canon Rebel XTi

While lifestyle IT accessories such as iPods and PDAs may appear innocent, the fact is that in the wrong hands these removable media devices can present a serious endpoint security risk to any organization. And with the average financial impact of each security breach now exceeding $200,000, the cost of doing nothing has never been higher.

To help organizations build an effective security or acceptable use policy, which includes portable media devices, Centennial Software's white paper entitled "Building the Perfect AUP" is available online from www.centennial-software.com/resources/whitepapers.

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© 2008 Penton Media Inc.

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