ISO 27001 calls for controls to be implemented on removable media to stop unauthorised access and transmission of data. It is not unknown for a disgruntled employee to download data containing commercial information onto some form of portable memory device just before leaving employment. This can be sensitive information such as customer information, product information, designs or drawings.
The compromise of these documents can be very damaging for the employer. It does not matter that the employee has signed a confidentiality agreement because the damage is already done.
Sensible employers who wish to prevent data downloads can stop any transfer of data from a USB port or other device by incorporating this into the Computer Group Policy, installed from the network during boot up, thus disabling the USB port for this purpose; the port can still be used for necessary functions, such as a keyboard or a mouse.
A less effective method would be to have a 'No USB memory stick' condition in the Employee's terms and conditions, but this does need to be policed on a regular basis.
I am constantly surprised that companies that are normally careful with computer data have no firm policy on removable or portable memory devices.
I have spoken here about USB sticks but this applies equally to SD cards, iPods, etc. The relatively large capacity of these devices, often gigabytes in size, does mean that a considerable amount of data can be downloaded.
Security of data must be extended to include portable memory devices.
Chris Eden FIBA, MISSA, AIQA is a director of Quality Matters Limited, an established consultancy specialising in Quality (ISO9001), Environment (ISO14001), Information Security (ISO27001) and IT Service Management (ISO20000).
Source: www.articlecity.com
