A new report on the state of IT security has warned that the weakening job market could lead to an increase in online crime as laid-off workers, especially those with computer skills, turn to scams to support themselves.

The report from networking company Cisco claims that IT staff threatened with redundancy because of the downturn could initially target their employers as an easy option for sourcing information, based on their inside knowledge of systems, processes and people.

An example was the arrest in April this year of a former IT analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, on suspicion of taking out loans using false identities.  The FBI found a USB flash drive attached to the employee’s computer with applications for $73,000 in loans in the names of stolen identities.

Whether this is just another version of the often-repeated “insider threat” remains to be seen.  But it does highlight the importance of securing data by encryption, and controlling what USB storage devices employees can use – for example, issuing authorised staff with secure flash drives.  These measures help to cut the risks of damaging data losses or theft.

Data Leak Prevention (DLP) is a topic that always sparks debate amongst IT people, as it demands a complex mix of technology, policies and buy-in from users to make it truly effective.  This article has drawn on the opinions and experience of a number of CSOs to focuses on five technological approaches that, when used together, should offer a solid defense for data.

As well as covering key elements such as encryption, gateway protection and email filtering, it mentions that “being able to control the use of USB devices is a key requirement of a DLP solution.”

This is certainly true.  But it’s not just the usage of USB devices.  What the article fails to mention is the need to protect the data while it’s on USB pen drives, with robust and automated encryption.  After all, without this, a user could put sensitive data unprotected on an authorised USB device. 

That’s why organisations use secure flash drives like our Cruzer Enterprise range as a core part of their DLP programme, because they secure data on the move without the user having to make decisions about it.