social media without raising the
level of risk they face likely will be
a priority for IT and security executives in the year ahead.
Use of social media involves a
range of hazards. Online posts can
hurt an organization’s reputation or
expose sensitive information, and
sites can carry malware that gives
cybercriminals access to corporate
networks.
Experts are concerned that many
people don’t realize just how risky
the social media sites can be.
“It’s a little startling, but if you
look at the statistics, social media
users aren’t particularly concerned
about the associated security risks,
not even when it comes to their
own information,” says Brian Lapidus, chief operating officer at Kroll
Fraud Solutions, a security consul-tancy based in Nashville.
“So the question becomes, how do
you generate a sense of awareness
around the realities of social media
and the security risks these venues
pose?” Lapidus says.
The concerns grow when you
consider the fact that the dividing
lines between personal life and
professional life are eroding, Lapi-
dus says. “Then, take into account
the number of people who have
incorporated social applications as
a major part of their lifestyle, and
the ease of access thanks to mobile
devices,” he says. “The complexity
and the opportunity for poor judg-
ment are magnified exponentially.”
Different strokes
Organizations take widely differing approaches to dealing with the
