Mobile workers don't take security seriously enough

A new study has revealed mobile workers don't take security as seriously as they should. 

The study by Cisco and the US National Cyber Security Alliance questioned 700 mobile workers across America, the UK, China, India, Singapore, Germany and South Korea. As companies increase the number of mobile workers they employ, the more mobile devices are used and thus, the security risks increase. 

Despite this, nearly three quarters of those questioned said they are not always aware of security threats and the best practices to use when working on the move. 28% admitted they "hardly ever" consider security threats because they're in "a hurry" or "it's IT's job". 

Almost half admitted to opening e-mails and attachments from sources they don't know, with more than three quarters saying it was harder to identify unknown sources on PDA's because of their small screens. 

Korn/Ferry International recently released research which found nearly 81% of mobile workers are constantly connected to a mobile device, with a large majority admitting to using unauthorised wireless internet connections. Nearly a third said they had hijacked their neighbour's account or had used an unauthorised connection in a public place. 

“While this study shows mobility provides businesses with new risks, so do other internet services and new technologies," said Ron Teixeira, Executive Director of NCSA. "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.”

The NCSA say many workers forget that PDA's are also personal devices and can easily be hijacked if proper security processes are not put in place. Tools such as encryption help to safeguard information, should mobile devices fall into the wrong hands.