We’ve read or heard about the numerous ID theft breaches when an employee has taken home a laptop containing non-public information but what about something smaller and easier to conceal.
usb sticks or flash drives can contain just as much damaging information as a laptop. They are easier to carry and can be placed inside a purse, pocket or jacket with no one ever knowing and are generally not encrypted.
Flashdrive
Some stories of lost flash drives might make you think twice before taking one home with employee information and even if you don’t have access to your co-workers information think twice about taking your personal flash drive for a trip.
A soldier loses his personal flash drive and is found by the enemy. They edit the videos he stored on the drive and use it for propaganda.
Swedish Armed Forces lose flash drive with classified information when an employee forgets the drive in a public computer. The drive contains information in regards to IED and mine threats in Afghanistan.
An employee for Tennessee Tech University loses flashdrive with 990 students social numbers. The employee transferred the information to the drive when the printer he was using would not print.
My question here is why would that employee still try to print out 990 students social numbers on paper only to be carried around somewhere.
Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources employee loses flash drive containing 7,000 names and social numbers and doesn’t report it for two weeks.
University of Reno professor loses flash drive with 16,000 incoming freshman social numbers. 21% of IT workers have lost flash drives say’s Silicon.com.
It’s no wonder the government is cracking down on ID theft and passing new compliance laws. What’s mindboggling is that employers aren’t taking the necessary steps to protect our information.
In a previous article I wrote (50-70% Of ID Theft Stems from the Workplace) can you see why these numbers are so high? Information is being taken home on laptops, flash drives and CD’s.
Flash drives have the portability convenience. You can store resume’s, applications, medical records, classified information, social numbers and every bit of non-public information you want.
All reasons why employees should be taking mandatory ID Theft training. Every business owner should have a risk assessment done and know where potential threats could occur.
Simple steps in having a security breach plan and an assessment done could save your business.
Flash Drives and ID Theft