Source and Copyright: Hexus.Net
More than 17,000 USB sticks were left behind in dry cleaners and launderettes in the UK during 2010, according to a new survey. According to Credant Technologies, the number of USB sticks left behind at the shops increased 400 percent from 2009 levels.
It noted that the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), which has the power to hand out £500,000 fines for breached of the data Protection Act (DPA) has handed out 2 fines to Ealing Council and Hounslow Council in February alone, for £80,000 and £70,000 respectively.
Comment:
All ARC staff are required by policy to use encryptable Sandisk Cruzer Extreme USB flash drives, which are available from Amazon.com. They cost a little more than regular flash drives, but the data on them is totally secure if lost. We find that as long as staff are aware of the reason for such measures, and the potential consequences of inadvertent loss, they cooperate willingly. Try it out in your organisations.
