26 Jan 2009

Lack of encryption 'leads to security risks'

Many companies do not effectively utilise encryption techniques and therefore have a much greater security risk, according to a survey.

Research by software provider Steganos has revealed that businesses are at risk because staff do not use security techniques to ensure that data is protected.

The poll found that 78 per cent of users do not encrypt their emails and that a fifth are unsure of whether the relevant software is installed.

Michael Marzy, managing director of Steganos, believes that computer security should be equal to the measures people take to protect everyday items such as wallets.

"The increasing risk of theft means that everyone, be it a home computer user or business user, needs to take responsibility for protecting data, both by encrypting current files and shredding those that are no longer needed," he says.

In further results from the survey, 41 per cent of respondents say they ensure that printed data is shredded, whereas just over a tenth admit to using a digital file shredder.

The news follows recent findings that as many as 9,000 people a year leave USB sticks containing sensitive information in their laundry.