Only 40 Percent of Company Employees Take IT Security Seriously, According to Avira Survey

Almost equal numbers of company employees have very different views about corporate security according to the most recent survey of computer users from IT security expert Avira. During a September 2011 survey of Avira users, 38.95 percent of respondents adhere to security policies designed to protect their company, feeling it's important that the entire company stay vigilant. Almost as many people, 35.42 percent, admitted there are security policies in place at their business but didn't feel that anyone really cared whether those policies were followed or not.

For the rest of those polled, 25.63 percent, security is seen as a system administrator's responsibility and not an employee concern. Here is the question and the data from Avira's survey to users:

How careful are you when it comes to IT security in your company?

A)   38.95% - We have strict and detailed policies for IT security and the
entire company takes care to follow all the policies in order to protect the company.

B)   35.42% - We have security policies, but I don't think anybody cares if
we follow the policies or not.

C)   25.63% - I don't think about IT security at all; our system
administrators are responsible for security so it's not my concern.

-    991 respondents with a margin of error of +/- 3.11 percent.

"When we see that less than 40 percent of workers take IT security seriously while at work, we know there is more to be done when it comes to educating people about IT security," said Sorin Mustaca, data security expert at Avira. "Employees need to know that security goes beyond just having an antivirus program installed. In the last few years we have seen increasing software exploits used as attack vectors for performing malicious actions. It is critical to keep all installed software updated: starting with patches for the operating system to web browsers, mail clients, office productivity suites, and of course antivirus software."

Mustaca continued, "Holding regular employee sessions to address the importance of staying vigilant while at work to make sure nothing happens to the corporate or small business network is equally important. I am disappointed to see that a quarter of the users who took the survey are completely ignoring the importance of IT security. If all who access the Internet would fulfill some minimum security requirements then the online world would be a much safer place."

Featured

  • 12 Commercial Crime Sites to Do Your Research

    12 Commercial Crime Sites to Do Your Research

    Understanding crime statistics in your industry and area is crucial for making important decisions about your security budget. With so much information out there, how can you know which statistics to trust? Read Now

  • Boosting Safety and Efficiency

    Boosting Safety and Efficiency

    In alignment with the state of Mississippi’s mission of “Empowering Mississippi citizens to stay connected and engaged with their government,” Salient's CompleteView VMS is being installed throughout more than 150 state boards, commissions and agencies in order to ensure safety for thousands of constituents who access state services daily. Read Now

  • Live From GSX: Post-Show Review

    Live From GSX: Post-Show Review

    This year’s Live From GSX program was a rousing success! Again, we’d like to thank our partners, and IPVideo, for working with us and letting us broadcast their solutions to the industry. You can follow our Live From GSX 2023 page to keep up with post-show developments and announcements. And if you’re interested in working with us in 2024, please don’t hesitate to ask about our Live From programs for ISC West in March or next year’s GSX. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX
  • People Say the Funniest Things

    People Say the Funniest Things

    By all accounts, GSX version 2023 was completely successful. Apparently, there were plenty of mix-ups with the airlines and getting aircraft from the East Coast into Big D. I am all ears when I am in a gathering of people. You never know when a nugget of information might flip out. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction. 3

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation. 3

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure. 3