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Understanding Portable Storage Threats And Corporate Network Risks

Not too long ago, the Gartner Group raised a minor dustup in the IT community by releasing a report claiming that portable storage media--including consumer devices such as cameras and MP3 players with built-in or removable memory--represent a new security threat to corporate networks. . . .. Not too long ago, the Gartner Group raised a minor dustup in the IT community by releasing a report claiming that portable storage media--including consumer devices such as cameras and MP3 players with built-in or removable memory--represent a new security threat to corporate networks. While I am almost always happy to see people talking about security beyond firewalls and virus scanners, this particular case represents a classic example of the way in which the tech community--including the media--regularly bungles security issues. According to the Gartner Group, these devices have grown so easy to use, and place so much memory within such small and innocuous physical packages, that they represent a dangerous new mechanism for employees to steal data or introduce malicious code into corporate networks. The Gartner report simultaneously sensationalized and diminished a key security issue by taking it out of context and presenting it as a new problem tied to specific technologies. The media and much of the tech community, in turn, leaped to the worst possible conclusion from the Gartner report: that the real issue was whether businesses should ban iPods. The link for this article located at thechannelinsider.com is no longer available. . Portable storage media like USB drives and external hard disks improve data management but also raise security risks, necessitating robust protocols and training. Portable Storage Threats, Corporate Network Security, Data Protection. . Anthony Pell

Aug 17, 2004 • Anthony Pell Network Security