Fear over iPods increasing threats to security
Fear over iPods increasing threats to security
Aug 26, 2005: Podslurping could be the next threat to corporate data within organisations, according to security experts who fear that iPods could potentially increase the risk of critical information being stolen.
This threat is helping to spearhead organisations into making clear boundaries between the corporate network and personally owned removable media devices, especially with mobile working becoming the norm.
Phil Hare, the regional manager for Centennial Software APAC said that iPods, PDAs, and USB sticks are now such a common sight in offices that we rarely give them a second glance.
"Yet a firewire-connected media player can easily download over 6GB of files from a corporate PC in less than two minutes. That represents a major risk to the integrity of your customer databases, R&D projects and financial information."
Vipul Bhargava, an analyst from the IDC IT management programme for Australia and New Zealand, added that information security has been a top of the mind concern for CIOs particularly in the last four years.
"Advancements in mobility technology surrounding Smartphones, PDAs, and other mobile devices have further fuelled this concern. Organisations need to understand that mobile devices could be the weakest link in their security strategy.
"A lack of corporate policy with regards to mobile devices could result in an organisations' security strategy going haywire. Furthermore, government and industry regulations such as Sarbanes-Oxley, HIPAA, Gramm-Leach-Bliley have placed unprecedented pressure on organisations to secure their data."
Centennial Software has launched DeviceWall version 3.0, which has extra functionality to help fight against these problems. These functions include "Read Only" access to CDs, USB sticks and other portable devices, which allows users to view CD presentations but protects against sensitive information leaving the organisation.
The Wireless Lockdown functionality allows managers to block Bluetooth, WiFi and infrared connections, preventing company assets from making connections with unauthorised devices and networks. And a New Device Classes includes specific categorisation for MP3 players and digital cameras, allowing organisations to be more selective about which devices should be allowed and which should be blocked.
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