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Briefing
Mel Duvall

Survey Finds Careless Employees Feared Top Security Threat

by Mel Duvall

The economic recession is clearly creating anxiety among IT professionals over the threat posed by fired or disgruntled employees. However, a poll conducted in the month of February by CIOZone found that risks posed by careless employees are still deemed the No. 1 security threat.

CIOZone asked its members, What is the biggest threat to your company’s computer and information security? Respondents were asked to choose from the following list: Hackers; Malware and viruses; Poorly coded Web applications; Insecure wireless connections; Careless employees; Disgruntled or fired employees; and Lost or stolen laptops.

Our poll received a total of 66 votes. Here are the results in descending priority with voting percentages.

1. Careless employees—27.6%

2. Disgruntled or fired employees—21.2%

3. Poorly coded Web applications—18.2%

4. Malware and viruses—16.7%

5. Hackers—9.1%

6. Insecure wireless connections—4.5%

7. Lost or stolen laptops—3%

Michael Menefee, principal consultant with WireHead Security in Raleigh, N.C., says normally disgruntled or fired employees wouldn’t appear so high on the security threat list. Obviously the economy and several high profile reports of disgruntled employees sabotaging company networks has raised awareness.

"I think the results somewhat mirror what people have been reading about in the press lately," says Menefee. "Also, with something like careless employees, that has a high awareness because it is something people have likely seen or experienced."

For his part, Menefee says he is most concerned about the threat posed by poorly coded Web applications, and feels that it may be a ticking time bomb. In fact, over the next year he expects the topic will gain more prominence as hackers begin to exploit numerous gaps in Web application security. See his recent blog on the topic.

But overall, he says there is no right or wrong answer to the question. "The bottom line is they're all very real threats," he says.

In the month of March, CIOZone will be conducting a poll on mobile computing trends in conjunction with a Special Report. Is the most important advancement the iPhone and the Apple App store, or a competing app store to be launched this month by BlackBerry maker Research in Motion? Or perhaps it has more to do with wireless infrastructure and coming 4G communications. Take the poll and cast your vote.

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Comments (1)

	1. 12-11-2008 08:05
	The notion that CIO's should take on a Marketing role would depend on the nature of the company, it's marketing philosophy, it's target market and, unless the company is looking to hire a new CIO specifically for this kind of transition, it would need to look closely at the particular talents and passions of the current CIO and the needs of the IT and marketing departments. Not every CIO is market focused and skilled in marketing although certainly some are, and not every marketing solution is technology based. I'm stating the obvious.     In some companies, giving the CIO at least some part of the Marketing responsibility might make sense and I think that most CIO's would welcome the opportunity to reach out more to their client base.    Another approach, which is equally valid, and something which we promote with clients, is the concept of unity in diversity. Simply stated, helping to create an environment where each person freely shares their particular talents and others respect and learn from their strengths. Also by improving interdepartmental team work using consultative and cummulative knowledege vs. competetive approaches, marketing and IT teams can work more closely together and be more productive, and utilize the strengths of each individual and each department. In some cases this might mean giving the CIO more marketing responsibility, in other cases it might mean having the marketing team working more closely with the CIO. Either way, an organization is better if teams and executives can think more like a team.    Garth Schmalenberg Guest

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