Using a portable device of any kind to store and transfer data immediately makes that material more vulnerable to theft or loss. Any business using these physical methods is risking losing valuable data, having it stolen by a third party, and damaging its own reputation critically in the process.
There’s even the chance that a device could become infected with malware or a virus. An outsider could deliberately install malicious software like ransomware that would be then introduced into your entire system.
Avoid the dangers of removable media
Security experts advise businesses to establish a set of basic rules about handling removable media that should apply throughout the organization. It’s a simple matter to train staff about the dangers and how to avoid them.
The rules could include simple instructions like these:
- Any personnel are forbidden to carry USB drives out of the company building.
- Only use a portable data device with trusted computers within the company network.
- Always scan any device with anti-virus and anti-malware packages before opening.
- Disable any auto-play or auto-run features as a safety measure when first connecting a media device to the network.
- Use secure passwords to protect confidential data.
- Remove sensitive data from portable media once it has been transferred to another computer and saved.
- Ideally encrypt all data stored and transferred on any removable media.
Expert security measures
The latest security systems are a little more sophisticated than checking staff members’ pockets as they leave the building.
In fact the use of any removable media is now banned by many progressive organisations. It’s the clearest way to eliminate the risks associated with its use.
