While many businesses take strong measures to protect against data breaches, investing in firewalls and other technology to defend their computers, the impact of a visual security breach is sometimes forgotten. Recent research reveals the apparent ease and risk with which visual data security breaches can occur on a regular basis.
A survey of IT professionals conducted by BH Consulting for this paper found that:
- 85% of those surveyed admitted to seeing sensitive information on screen that they were not authorized to see
- 82% admitted that it was possible information on their screens could have been viewed by unauthorized personnel
- 82% had little or no confidence that users in their organization would protect their screen from being viewed by unauthorized people*
The risk for businesses ranges from identity theft of customer information and the legal consequences that can bring, as well as acts of corporate spies internally accessing confidential data that could compromise your business.
Establishing a visual security policy helps prevent this overlooked data breach within your business. Here are some simple guidelines for helping create that policy:
- Organizing and Classifying Confidential Data
Knowing what information in your company is confidential is the first step in protecting it. Classify data by different levels of security so that you can define who has access and who should not.
- Establish Accessibility Safeguards
Limit accessibility to certain individuals to your various data sets. Giving the role of accessibility management also ensures responsibility and accountability if a data breach occurs.
- Monitor Access
Knowing when individuals log in and out is key in determining who sees sensitive data and when. This is valuable information when investigating a breach and also helps deter any inappropriate actions, once employees know their access is being monitored.
- Installing Password Protected Screensavers
Anyone can quickly view information on an unattended computer screen. Password protected screen savers automatically activate to secure those screens.
- Install Privacy Filters on Company Computers
Blackout privacy filters can prevent shoulder surfing, ensuring data is secure even when employees are working at their computers.
6. Train Employees on Using Company Devices Outside the Office
Company phones, laptops and tablets are always vulnerable when employees access confidential company information while on business trips, or even while out to lunch. Keeping these devices protected with privacy filters for portable devices can help protect that information. However, employees should also be instructed on the risks of shoulder surfing, especially in a crowded location. If they need to access confidential information on their device, they should be wary of their surroundings, preferably accessing the information in a more isolated area.
Use this simple guide to determine the right privacy filter size for any device. The Perfect Fit Selector Tool.
Find all available devices in this privacy filter device directory.
* http://www.visualdatasecurity.eu/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Visual-Data-Security-White-Paper.pdf
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