Bosses beware - 'GenMobile' clueless on mobile security risks

More than four in 10 Australian employees have lost data due to misuse of a mobile device, but employees are blasé about the risks to business data security posed by mobile use.

These are among the findings of a survey by Aruba Networks into the state of mobile security, which polled more than 11,500 workers in 23 countries including Australia.

The survey found that 43% of Australian employees admit to having lost personal or client data as a result of misuse of a mobile device, even though 88% expect that their IT departments will keep them protected.

Australian workers also commonly share work and mobile devices with others, with 60% admitting to doing so regularly. Yet 54% are not worried about the threat this poses.

BYOD and shadow IT have meanwhile taken hold in force, with 77% of Australian respondents willing to perform self-service IT and 56% willing to disobey their boss to get something done.

“The findings highlighted that while ‘GenMobile’ workers are willing to proactively drive productivity and business growth, these employees are also far more relaxed with sharing company data,” Aruba Networks Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand Steve Coad said. “Most notably, GenMobile workers are oblivious to security threats or risks.”

Globally, the survey suggests that men are 20% more likely to have lost personal and client data due to the misuse of a smartphone - and 40% are more likely to fall victim to identity theft.

Younger employees represent the biggest risk, with the 25-34 year bracket having the highest propensity of data and identity theft.

“The arrival of the always-on, mobile-office and GenMobile employee is as tangible and impactful on industry as the arrival of the internet itself. GenMobile workers demonstrate a much higher willingness to exhibit behaviour that is prone to risk,” Coad concluded.

“As such, Australian and New Zealand organisations and their IT departments need to be smarter about managing this behaviour of sharing without sacrificing the security of corporate data and information.”

Image courtesy of Phil Roeder under CC