Sales people are 'demons' of tech security

When it comes to corporate web security, tech-savvy junior sales staff are the 'demons' of the business, research has revealed.

Sales staff aged between 26 and 35 tend to take a multitasking approach to email, instant messaging, VoIP and the internet - increasing the likelihood of malware and fraudsters getting onto the company network, according to web security company MessageLabs.

By spreading their concentration across so many different applications, such staff often miss security issues and fail to consider potential dangers, according to the MessageLabs research.

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By contrast, more knowledgeable middle management male techies of the same age are considered to be the 'angels' of business security.

But only 21 per cent of UK respondents said they are confident employees do not represent a security risk.

Despite these concerns, more than 40 per cent of IT bosses surveyed said their company offers no security training to staff.

Mark Sunner, chief security analyst at MessageLabs, said with almost half of companies failing to provide adequate training about online threats, employees are likely to be oblivious to the dangers.

The research was carried out by Vanson Bourne on behalf of MessageLabs and covered 942 UK and US IT decision-makers.

Who are the worst security 'demons' in your office? Are the young sales people being blamed unfairly? Leave your comments below or email editorial@silicon.com.