The survey findings, conducted by Ipsos, revealed the following:
■■ Almost 90 per cent of C-suites and half of small business
owners (SBOs) reported that their organizations offer flexible
or off-site work environments to employees, and more than
two-thirds believe that the trend towards working remotely will
increase over the next five years
■■ The majority (82 per cent) of C-suites and almost two-thirds
(63 per cent) of SBOs feel that the risk of a data breach is higher
when employees work off-site
“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:
■■ Thirty-eight per cent of SBOs reported not having any protocols
in place when employees use electronic devices containing
confidential information
■■ Forty-six per cent of SBOs stated they have no policy for storing
and disposing of confidential information when employees
work off-site
■■ Twenty-seven per cent of SBOs offer employee training on
using public Wi-Fi, compared to 48 per cent of C-suites
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 per cent),
sharing company-issued electronic devices with family and friends
(53 per cent) and keeping company-issued devices safe from interference
at home (53 per cent).
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.
■■ Forty-eight per cent of Millennials leave their notebooks on
their desk after they leave work for the day, compared to 37
per cent of Generation X and 21 per cent of Baby Boomers
■■ Thirty-seven per cent of Millennials report regularly leaving
their computer on and unlocked after work, compared to 22
per cent of those between the ages of 35 and 54 and 12 per
cent of those 55 and over
■■ Only half of Millennials regularly shred confidential
documents, compared to 65 per cent of Generation X and 52
per cent of Baby Boomers
“It really is quite surprising that Millennials are not taking
the issue of data security as seriously as they should,” said
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.”
SIXTY PER CENT OF COMPANIES PLAN TO HIRE
TECH TALENT
As security, cloud and digital projects in Canadian companies
expand, so does the need for skilled tech professionals to support
them. According to Robert Half Technology’s latest research on
the state of tech hiring, 60 per cent of IT hiring decision makers
in Canada plan to expand the size of their teams between now
and the end of the year.
When asked to describe their top concerns, investing in new
technologies ranked first, followed by keeping IT systems and
company information safe, upgrading existing systems for business
efficiency and innovation.
Survey respondents cited cloud security followed by cybersecurity,
cloud computing and cloud architecture as the most
desired areas of expertise.
“Rapidly evolving cloud technology and IT security needs
have put intense pressure on hiring managers to find skilled professionals
capable of navigating new digital requirements and
innovations,” said Deborah Bottineau, a district director for
Robert Half Technology. “As demand for tech talent strengthens,
particularly for those with big data and business intelligence
expertise, it’s imperative that employers move quickly in the
hiring process and entice top candidates with competitive compensation
packages, flexible incentives and clear opportunities
for career growth.”
Additionally, it seems tech professionals are willing to relocate
for opportunities: Nearly eight in 10 tech leaders (79 per cent)
say they are seeing more tech talent move to their cities for career
opportunities. Québec and Ontario are the top provinces seeing
relocation to their area. n
news
IT REALLY IS QUITE
SURPRISING THAT
MILLENNIALS ARE NOT
TAKING THE ISSUE OF DATA
SECURITY AS SERIOUSLY
AS THEY SHOULD.
– PAUL SAABAS
10 ❚ JULY 2018 ❚ HR PROFESSIONAL