Compromising Business Behaviors: Don’t Expose Your Company’s Secrets
Leaving the computer on when you leave the office at night or using your laptop on an airplane may not seem like risky business, but according to information security expert Ira Winkler, these are just two examples of compromising behaviors that can leave your business exposed. In fact, the Small Business Technology Institute reports that more than half of all small businesses in the U.S. – as many as 13 million – experienced a security breach in the past year because of a variety of everyday behaviors that unintentionally expose business information.
To help businesses deal with this growing problem, Office Depot (NYSE:ODP) has teamed up with Winkler, author of "Spies Among Us: How to Stop the Spies, Terrorists, Hackers and Criminals That You Don't Even Know You Encounter Every Day," to provide businesses with important tips, recommendations, and affordable information security solutions. A free brochure entitled '"Compromising Behaviors: Don't Leave Your Business Exposed," guides businesses on how to protect their valuable information and is available for downloading at www.officedepot.com/security.
"Most corporate intelligence losses are not a result of high-tech crime. They are the result of human errors or system loopholes that can be easily and cost-effectively remedied," explains Winkler, President of the Internet Security Advisors Group, who has also been dubbed a "Modern Day James Bond" because of his keen understanding of the high- and low-tech methods used to make businesses susceptible to information security breaches.
Yet, according to Winkler, many companies are vulnerable because they don't believe they are at risk. "I frequently come across small and medium sized businesses that assume information theft does not apply to them and that appropriate security measures are very costly. Both of these assumptions just aren't true. In so many cases, there are simple actions you can take and basic behaviors that you can change that will dramatically improve your approach to information security," said Winkler.
"Compromising Behaviors: Don't Leave Your Business Exposed," available at www.officedepot.com/security, offers a variety of recommendations for simple and affordable solutions including:
· Keep your PC and security software up to date. Just like you put on a seatbelt when driving a car, the most basic security protection for your PC is to make sure the operating system is up to date and utilizing the recommended security updates. Likewise, you should always install antivirus, anti-spyware and a personal firewall to protect computer files. Keep your software updated as new viruses and spyware bugs are released virtually daily. One protective software package is the Office Depot Internet Security Suite, which shields against viruses, spyware, hackers and phishing scams.
· Always remember that people are listening. While talking on your cell phone outside of the office, be conscious of your surroundings and keep your voice low whenever possible. Practice this same approach for business discussed in public spaces like a restaurant, coffee house or airport. While it's great to take a client out for a meal, an employee from your competitor could be sitting at the next table. If you need to talk business, consider using code words to discuss confidential projects.
· Be cautious when working with confidential information. Reviewing documents when traveling or working outside the office can maximize productivity, but if the files include sensitive information, always make sure no one can see what you are working on. A good way to ensure your information remains safe from wandering eyes is to install a laptop privacy filter so only you can see the information. For example, the 3M™ Notebook Privacy Filter darkens screen data from a side view allowing only the user to view information on-screen.
· Always use passwords and keep them safe. Passwords are a simple way to protect your information but make sure you don't use basic passwords like your name, birthday or phone number. Do not write down your password, keep it in a secure location and do not share it. If you need to share your password, change it as soon as you can. If you have trouble remembering passwords, the Microsoft Fingerprint Reader lets you log on to your PC and your favorite Web sites with the touch of your finger – without having to remember all of your passwords. Simply place your finger on the receiver whenever a password or user name is required. Some laptops, such as the high-performance Toshiba Satellite® P105-S6014 wireless notebook come equipped with an embedded fingerprint reader to provide biometric password protection for simple one-touch access to applications.
· Put your laptop on lockdown. Secure your notebook from theft by attaching a cable lock, such as the Targus Defcon CL notebook computer cable lock, which tethers it to a desk or other surface. Cable locks are portable and can go on the road so if you use a laptop at a business center, it can also be secured.
Intellectual Property | Steve Rucinski | 09 May 2006 |
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By Ted, May 9, 2006 @ 6:37 pm
Very good work. Also, a nice book to let you know: China’s global reach: markets, multinationals, and globalization by george zhibin gu, which gives huge insights on global business trends.
By Forward Foods, October 2, 2007 @ 10:47 am
Every secret should not be made public or shared with any other person because you never know. And you are right. Passwords should be kept safely in a secret place and not in a computer where spywares can easily find them end empty your account instantly. Good pieces of advice! Valuable ones!