Canada NewsWire
OAKVILLE, ON, June 20, 2018
The annual Shred-it State of the Industry Report reveals Canadian businesses are not prepared for open-concept offices and off-site work environments.
OAKVILLE, ON, June 20, 2018 /CNW/ - Shred-it released its annual State of the Industry Report today which exposes information and data security risks currently threatening Canadian enterprises and small businesses and includes survey findings from the Shred-it Security Tracker. The study found that Canadian businesses, while embracing the concept of workplace mobility, are failing to implement proper data protection policies and staff training, putting them at a heightened risk of a data breach.
The survey findings, conducted by Ipsos, revealed the following:
"In an era of increasing workplace mobility and one in which a single data breach can destroy a business's bottom line and reputation, companies have no choice but to make information security a priority," said Paul Saabas, Vice President, Shred-it. "One of the smartest things a company can do to differentiate itself today is to make data security a core part of its business practices and communicate this to consumers."
The study also revealed that businesses are not addressing information security risks with the required training, policies and enforcement mechanisms:
Furthermore, only half of C-Suites reported that they train their employees on the following practices: keeping sensitive information out-of-sight when working in a public space (58 percent), sharing company-issued electronic devices with family and friends (53 percent), and keeping company-issued devices safe from interference at home (53 percent).
This oversight in employee training for both large enterprises and small businesses can have a huge impact on a company's bottom line and reputation if a data breach does occur.
Millennials and Data Security: Not as savvy as we thought
The study also examined millennials (18-34) and the topic of data security. The results were surprising – and concerning. Millennials, despite having grown up in the digital and mobile era, are lagging behind their generation X (35-55) and baby boomer (55+) colleagues when it comes to safe data protection practices.
"It really is quite surprising that millennials are not taking the issue of data security as seriously as they should," noted Mr. Saabas. "What the results show us is just because a younger person is comfortable using technology doesn't necessarily mean they are knowledgeable about privacy and data risk issues. Without the right training and behaviour, they could be putting their employer at risk, not to mention their own personal brand."
To learn more about the 2018 Security Tracker and to receive additional findings, download the 2018 Shred-it State of the Industry Report.
About the 2018 Security Tracker Study
Ipsos conducted a quantitative online survey of two distinct sample groups: small business owners in Canada (n=1,002), and C-suite executives working for businesses in Canada with a minimum of 100 employees (n=100). The precision of Ipsos online surveys are calculated via a credibility interval. In this case, the Canada SBO sample is considered accurate to within +/- 3.5 percentage points had all Canadian small business owners been surveyed, and the Canada C-Suite sample is accurate to within +/- 11.2 percentage points had all Canadian C-Suite Executives been surveyed. The fieldwork was conducted between April 3rd and April 21st, 2018.
In addition to the quantitative online survey, Ipsos conducted a short omnibus survey among a gen pop sample of n=1,002 Canadians about data protection and security.
About Shred-it
Shred-it is a world-leading information security company providing information destruction services that ensure the security and integrity of our clients' private information. Shred-it, a Stericycle solution, operates in 170 markets throughout 19 countries worldwide, servicing more than 400,000 global, national and local businesses. For more information, please visit www.shredit.com.
About Ipsos
Ipsos ranks third in the global research industry. With a strong presence in 87 countries, Ipsos employs more than 16,000 people and has the ability to conduct research programs in more than 100 countries. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is controlled and managed by research professionals. They have built a solid Group around a multi-specialist positioning – Media and advertising research; Marketing research; Client and employee relationship management; Opinion & social research; Mobile, Online, Offline data collection and delivery.
Ipsos is listed on Eurolist - NYSE-Euronext. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD). www.ipsos.com
SOURCE Shred-it
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