Survey uncovers a staggering number of obsessed workers are taking their laptops to bed, much to their partners annoyance
More than a quarter of UK employees are so work obsessed they cannot resist using a mobile device such as a laptop in bed before they go to sleep, according to a survey released today by endpoint data protection specialists Creddant Technologies.
The survey discovered that of those people who do work in bed, 57 per cent do so for between 2 and 6 hours every week, little wonder that the survey also found that the majority of their bed companions found their partners’ obsession with their mobiles (a very annoying habit). A staggering 8 per cent of people admitted that they spend more time on their mobile devices during the evening than talking to their partners!
The survey into “Laptop use in bed and the security implications” was conducted amongst 300 city workers who were interviewed to determine whether the UK has become a nation of work obsessed, laptop dependent, key tappers and to highlight the security implications of unsecured mobile devices. Almost half the respondents (44 per cent) admitted they are holding important work documents on their mobile devices of which 54 per cent were not adequately secured with encryption. This will sound alarm bells for the many in-house IT departments who are tasked with trying to secure an ever increasing mobile workforce who are using data on the move and consequently losing more unsecured data than ever before.
Additionally snooping neighbours or even malicious infiltrators could hack into the devices that are being used in bed, as a fifth of people are not using a secure wireless network as they busily tap away under their duvets.
Michael Callahan, Vice President at Credant Technologies explains: “This survey confirms that there is a growing population that is no longer restricted by working hours or confined to the office building itself. People are mobile and will work anywhere – even in bed. Therefore, when sensitive and valuable data is being held on these devices and they get lost, it can have pretty detrimental and far-reaching consequences to both the worker and their employer.
“With increasing pressures on companies to comply with regulations, such as the Data Protection Act, we all have to respect our customers and employers by protecting the data held on our mobile devices, where ever we may be.”
The most favoured way to connect to the internet, and subsequently back to the office, whilst lying in bed is via a wireless network (87 per cent). Disturbingly, almost a fifth of people spoken to are using a wireless network that they know is insecure, with 56% down/uploading company information.
When staying in hotels, people are happy to connect to the hotel’s wireless network, expecting the hotel to ensure it is secure. Forty-seven per cent admit that they do so without even considering the security implications.
When asked: “What is the last thing you do before going to sleep?” it is reassuring to learn that, for 96 per cent of the people questioned, it is kiss their partners goodnight. For the other 4 per cent, (71 per cent of which are male), who confess to completing work and checking their emails it would be advisable for them to take a long hard look at their gadget obsessed lives.
Credant recommends the following simple hints and tips to ensure data remains secure, especially when working in your pyjamas:
Tip One: If your laptop or mobile device contains important/sensitive data relating to your employer, especially clients’ information, then the data protection act requires it be adequately protected. Ask your IT department to encrypt the mobile device.
Tip Two: Always use a strong password -combining numbers, letters and symbols, to access your device or network. Don’t make exposure easy.
Tip Three: Be aware of all the points of connection and access so you don’t risk disclosure.
Tip Four: Don't leave your mobile device open to access (eg leaving Bluetooth or WiFi turned on) somewhere visible and unsecured.
Tip Five: Finally, use your bedroom for what it’s designed for. And, if you’re not feeling sleepy, your laptop is the last thing you should be turning to!
This survey was conducted in the City of London, amongst 300 city workers during April 2009 for Credant Technologies.
For more information, visit www.credant.com
