resize text:

Press Releases

Employee Handling of Large Files is Placing Organisations at Risk

Posted: 14/04/08
email to a friend

Rate this release:

Oxfordshire, UK (14th April 2008) – DVS Soft Distribution warned today that the methods some employees are using to transfer large files are putting organisations at serious risk of data leakage and possible malware contamination. Although recent high profile cases have highlighted the dangers of postal and courier services, DVS Soft says third party web transfer services, instant messaging and even social networking sites are also frequently used by employees, but still equally insecure.

“Restricted by email attachment size and even file formats, ever resourceful employees are finding other ways to transfer large files and most of them are even more insecure than email,” comments Andy Hansen, sales manager of DVS Soft Distribution. “Granted, the average business may not be transferring vast quantities of customer information, but it’s still likely that typical files will include sales information, market projections, confidential pitches and competitive analysis. Not the sort of information most businesses want in the open.”

DVS Soft believes that the majority of employees use these external services in the genuine belief that it is helping them be more efficient in doing their job and are not intentionally putting their employer at risk. However, aside from the increased risk of information theft or a delivery mistake by the postal company, there is also the distinct possibility that the file or the site it is hosted on may be compromised by malware.

“One of the problems is that businesses have restricted the employee’s ability to send large files over email, without recognising that they still need to be able to get that information to partners and customers. Consequently employees just look for the easiest and most familiar method out there and that’s often social networking sites and web 2.0 tools such as IM,” continues Andy Hansen.

“Reputation is often underestimated in business, until you’ve lost it of course. Companies need to ask themselves – which looks more professional a dedicated, fully encrypted, password protected file system that can be accessed via the web or sending your best customer to www.acme-toobigtosend.com to download a file?”

About DVS Soft Distribution

DVS Soft Distribution markets DVS Soft, a hosted back-up service that provides soho and businesses users with a simple and flexible way to back-up critical data. In addition to hassle free back-up, DVS Soft provides a number of unique features including real-time back-up on specified files and Magic Folders that allows users to access important information, securely via the internet. Established in 1998, DVS Soft is used widely by the UK insurance and financial services industry. DVS Soft Distribution is based in Oxfordshire, UK and the product is sold through accredited partners and resellers. For more information visit www.dvssoft.co.uk

Media Contact:
Sara Claridge
Marylebone Media Relations
(view email address below)
+44 (0)20 8133 5572
+44 (0)7968 626838 (mobile)
www.marylebone.co.uk

Contact Name: Sara Claridge
Role: Director
Company: Marylebone Media Relations
Contact Email: click to reveal e-mail
Contact Phone: 020 8133 5572
Company Website: http://www.dvssoft.co.uk

Tags (click tag to find related articles; click icon for feed):
email | dvs | storage | file transfer |