British Workers Fear Data Theft More Than Home Intruders

UK workers now rate data security so highly that many consider theft of information more serious than someone breaking into their own home, a new study has found.

A Citrix survey of 2,000 workers found that nearly one in three workers (31 percent) would feel more violated if files were stolen from their computer than if intruders broke into their home.

Younger people were more likely to feel at risk, as almost half of 16 to 24-year-olds (45 percent) said they were more affected by the thought of someone stealing their personal information and files than their home being burgled.

At risk?

The survey found that many of us are also hiding away personal files more securely than ever before, with half of respondents admitting they save confidential information in a private folder, which they would never want anybody else to access.

Young people were the main age group committed to keeping information private, as nearly half (48 per cent) of those aged 16 to 24 have more than one private file on their computers which they want to remain secret, compared with just 16 per cent of those aged over 55.

However worrying details were revealed about how people store their passwords, as one in four (25 percent) of 16 to 24-year-olds keep all of their passwords in one file on their computer or mobile device, meaning that a single instance of data theft could put all of their accounts and folders at risk.

“Data safety has never been more important, as workers are storing increasing amounts of data online,” said Chris Mayers, chief security architect, Citrix.

“The results of the study suggest that UK workers are indeed aware of the risks of data theft. Yet more work must be done to ensure this growing awareness translates to safer practices at work. A homeowner wouldn’t leave their front door open, so businesses shouldn’t run the risk of losing the keys to their data to the wrong hands.”

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