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Story URL: http://software.silicon.com/security/0,39024655,39170328,00.htm

Are remote workers hitting you where it hurts?
Security concerns felt in the wallet...

By Natasha Lomas

Published: Tuesday 11 March 2008

Concern over 'risky' remote workers is fuelling security spending.

Almost two-thirds (62 per cent) of IT decision makers surveyed by networking giant Cisco in an annual poll into remote working said they are planning to increase security spending this year to mitigate risks associated with employees who work outside the office.

More than one-third (37 per cent) said they intend to hike spending by more than 10 per cent on 2007's budget.

While businesses undoubtedly see benefits from allowing remote working - such as increased productivity and better rates of staff retention - Cisco says there is also a financial burden when it comes to ensuring remote staff do not compromise corporate security.

Risks associated with remote workers include opening suspicious emails, piggybacking on unsecured wireless networks and sharing corporate devices with non-employees.

Educating staff is vital to minimising the costs associated with remote working, according to Cisco. John N Stewart, chief security officer at the company, said in a statement: "Increasing employee awareness through sustained education reduces threats, attacks and the painful pricetags they typically carry."

The research also found security concern about remote workers is most acute in the Bric countries of Brazil, China and India - where 83 per cent of respondents in China and India, and 68 per cent in Brazil, said security spending will rise this year.

The survey polled 2,000 IT pros in various industries in Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US.