Data leaks are a top concern

Trend Micro reported that data leaks are becoming a leading source of headaches for U.S., U.K., German and Japanese companies, according to the results of a study that explores corporate computer users’ perceptions of and experiences with security threats.

The study, which surveyed 1600 corporate end users found that the loss of proprietary company data and information was ranked as the second most serious threat at work, following viruses. It was considered to be more serious than most other threats such as spam, spyware and phishing. Many of those surveyed pointed the finger when it comes to corporate data leaks: While 6 percent of end users admitted to having leaked company information, 16 percent believe other employees caused data leaks. End users in the U.S., U.K., and Germany are more likely to admit to leaking company data, either intentionally or accidentally, than end users in Japan.

Respondents in the U.S. seem to believe they’re slightly savvier when it comes to confidentiality – 74 percent of respondents say they know what type of company data is confidential and proprietary compared to 67 percent in the U.K., 68 percent in Germany, and only 40 percent in Japan. On the other hand, end users of large companies in Japan are more aware of what type of company data is confidential compared to end users of smaller organizations. Mobile users are also more confident. In the U.S., for example 79 percent of mobile end users say they know what’s classified information compared to 69 percent of desktop computer users.

The study also found that approximately 46 percent of companies do not currently have a policy to prevent data leaks. Companies in Germany and Japan are more likely than UK companies to implement data leak prevention policies. In all countries surveyed, large organizations are more likely to have preventative policies in place than small companies.

Among end users whose company currently has a policy to prevent data leakage, more U.S. end users (nearly 70 percent) report to have received training compared to the other countries, especially in the U.K. where only 57 percent of end users said they received training. In all countries surveyed installation and use of security software are the most common actions taken to combat data leakage.