INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Enterprise Security

Privileged access combined with worrisome worker actions compound security risks for organizations .

Driven by hybrid working and flexible access trends , a multi-country report reveals how many common employee sensitive and privileged data access behaviors – deliberate and accidental – put organizations at risk .

Based on a survey of 14,003 employees working in all major types of job roles and vertical industries across Australia , Singapore , USA , UK , France and Germany , the report reveals insights into prevalent employee behaviors and data access patterns . It shows that security teams must rethink how identity security controls are applied to the modern workforce . for multiple work-related applications while 36 % use the same credentials for both personal and work applications . Fifty-two per cent of those surveyed have shared workplace-specific confidential information with outside parties . These practices significantly heighten the risk of security leaks and breaches .

3 . Majority bypass cybersecurity policies : Sixty-five per cent of employees often bypass cybersecurity policies to make their lives easier . Common workarounds include using personal devices as WiFi hotspots and forwarding corporate emails to personal accounts .

4 . AI adoption creates more security challenges : The report also sheds light on the growing use of AI tools in the workplace . Over 72 % of employees use AI tools , which can introduce new vulnerabilities when , for instance , sensitive data is inputted into them .

Over a third ( 38 %) of employees either ‘ only sometimes ’ or ‘ never ’ adhere to guidelines on handling sensitive information in their use of AI tools .

“ For far too long , the standard approach to workforce access security has been centered around basic controls like authentication via single sign on . This ignores the reality of the modern worker and the changing nature of identity : the average employee can be a casual workforce user and , the next moment , a privileged account ,” said Matt Cohen , CEO , CyberArk .

“ These findings show that high-risk access is scattered throughout every job role and bad behaviors abound , creating serious security issues for organizations and highlighting the pressing need to reimagine workforce identity security by securing every user with the right level of privilege controls .” p

1 . Majority have access to sensitive information : 80 % access workplace applications – which often contain business-critical data – from personal devices that frequently lack adequate security controls . The survey confirms that privileged access is no longer confined to IT admins . Forty per cent of respondents indicated they habitually download customer data ; a third are able to alter critical or sensitive data ; and just over three in 10 can approve large financial transactions .

2 . Password reuse is common : The report highlights several worrisome habits . Forty-nine per cent of employees surveyed use the same login credentials

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