Laptop Users Pose Security Threat to European Businesses

Websense, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBSN), the worldís leading provider of employee internet management software, today announced the results of the independent ëLaptop Liabilitiesí research, highlighting that European businesses are leaving themselves and their employees open to attack from the hidden dangers of the internet. Of the 500 European work laptop users surveyed, many are exposing their companies to legal and financial damage, as well as opening themselves up to their personal data being captured.

Amongst the findings, employees admit to downloading non work-related software, allowing people outside of work to use their laptops, and many are using their laptops to surf peer-to-peer websites and download illegal music files and movies. These activities unwittingly allow the spread of malicious code such as viruses and spyware and pose corporate security risks when the laptop is connected to the network.

Just over half of the companies surveyed (55%) manage internet access on laptops, but this breaks down to only a quarter enforcing this physically and 30% relying on their employees adhering to written policies. The fact that employees are downloading software remotely means that any network-based security measures are rendered useless, exposing business and personal data to key-loggers, hackers and phishing attacks.

Key findings include:

Untraceable users ñ Almost half of workers (46%) admit that people outside of work access their laptop, with 1 in 5 (22%) having no idea who actually uses it and what they use it for Dangerous Downloads ñ A staggering 86% of employees admit to downloading ënon-workí software when out of the office

Breaking the law ñ Only one in ten people care that their company may face prosecution for breach of copyright through them downloading illegal music files and movies - whereas 15% worry about being prosecuted themselves
Drive-by Downloads ñ 74% admit to not always reading the terms and conditions when downloading software from the internet. No wonder 15% of users discovered software on their PCís they did not download

The burden of responsibility? ñ Amazingly, despite 42% of users admitting to doing things like visiting peer-to-peer, adult content and hacking sites, 35% of workers feel that the IT department is responsible for what ends up on their laptop whilst it is used as home

Commenting on the findings, Geoff Haggart, VP Europe for Websense said, ìOur survey shows that mobile workers are unaware of many of the hidden dangers of the internet. Not only do they not fully understand the risks of many of the activities they are doing on the internet, but more worryingly, they are leaving themselves and their employers open to attack from all manner of malicious content.

Companies need to educate and empower employees to ensure they are able to make conscious decisions to ensure safer surfing on their laptops ñ both in the office and at home.î

In 2002 the number of European mobile workers stood at 80.6 million, with analyst group IDC anticipating that this will grow to 99.3 million by 2007. Whilst IT directors must consider the burden that any mobile security strategy might place on laptop users, potentially hindering their job function, they cannot ignore these worrying facts. Consequently, any organisation considering offering remote or mobile working to its employees must look to create a mobile security policy.

Haggart concluded, ìThe findings from this research are clear. European businesses must wake up to the legal liability and security threat that laptop users pose and put in place adequate measures to tackle these. Only then can mobile working become a viable and safe opportunity and businesses can enjoy the benefits of lower costs and increased employee productivity with peace of mind.î

To obtain a copy of the report please contact Octopus Communications on 44 (0) 1753 672 755.

For a free 30-day evaluation of Websense Enterprise or more information on protecting your organisation from a wide range of threats including Spyware, virus outbreaks, instant messaging and employee hacking, visit