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By: Gad Elkin, Cyber Security Manager at EMEA
It seems more and more people are interested in securing their personal computers and private information. The reason for this is the constant flow of headlines regarding breaches in security that have the effect of making the public weary. The more notorious among these are the Edward Snowden leaks as well as revelations regarding NSA’s (National Security Agency’s) methods for collecting their data from us.
But the NSA is not the only US Government body to act in this manner. Only recently was it revealed that the CIA was making apparently illegal efforts to get at our personal data, with their efforts to plant malware in Mac computers, iPhones and iPads. Taking into consideration that Apple had sold over 700,000 iPhones, about 250 million iPads, and has about 5% of the PC market – we are talking about a great number of devices.
Then we hear that our favorite celebrity’s online pictures have been stolen. Apple had denied, in response, that its iCloud had been broken into. All these incidents raise the public’s awareness to the need for cyber security. Many are readapting their privacy settings on Facebook and on other social networks, and are beginning to think twice before posting private information.
Other security measures that are more in demand include: two-phase verification upon entry to online banking sites and e-mail services of certain social networks.
Generally, the public’s awareness benefits employers, since when people are more aware of the need for safety measures in their private lives they will act more carefully at the work place as well.
Definitely the way to improve the level of security in organizations is making the employees more aware for the need for it. If an employee takes home a laptop, or even uses his smart phone or tablet for projects to do with his work palce, his awareness of the need for safety measures is essential.
