Page 32 - Security Today, September/October 2021

“There is a very real risk that private company data is accompanying them
to and fro, and stored on some manner of the memory device will become compromised, lost or stolen, resulting in a cybersecurity mess for the company.”
The top-of-the-line hardware-based encrypted USB drives use AES 256-bit encryption in XTS mode. This ensures anyone who finds such a drive cannot access the information, as the drive wipes itself clean after 10 attempts at guessing the password.
A patent-protected, hardware-centric/software-free encryp- tion approach to data security is the best defense against data loss, as it eliminates the most commonly used attack routes. Fur- thermore, this same software-free method also provides complete cross-platform compatibility with any OS or embedded equip- ment possessing a USB port and file storage system.
Finally, it is also vital for companies to have policies and practices in place that deal with protecting data beyond encryp- tion. Workers must know and follow these policies and practices to avoid loss of data, compromised data, or malicious virus and malware attacks.
regarding the use of USB drives is key to returning hybrid work- ers. Lack of training means you do not have a tightly sealed data loss-prevention strategy, and you are more prone breach, hacking and all of those other wonderful malicious things that can happen.
Several years ago, a USB security study found that 72 percent of employees use free drives from conferences and tradeshows or business meetings, even in organizations that offer ‘approved’ USB solutions.1 How safe are those drives? Establishing a train- ing program that educates employees on acceptable and unac- ceptable use of USB flash drives and BYODs is crucial for re- turning hybrid workers.
Don not ignore the serious risks of unencrypted BYOD USB drives. Take a proactive approach by implementing a best-prac- tices standard and policy, and providing employees with compa- ny-approved encrypted USB flash drives for use in the workplace. Paying a little more up-front for encrypted drives will cost expo- nentially less than risking a potential data breach and potential fines for mishandling private customer data.
Richard Kanadjian is currently the business manager of Kingston Technology’s Encrypted USB unit.
1. A Ponemon USB security study (January, 2019) found that 72% of employees use free drives from conferences and tradeshows, business meetings, etc. — even in organizations that offer ‘approved’ USB options.”
Training and educated on the company’s policies and practices
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