Cyber-Ark issues devious IT staff warning

Nine out of ten IT administrators admit they would make off with company information, vendor finds

Vendor Cyber-Ark has warned firms to lock down privileged data after finding that nine out of ten IT administrators would steal valuable and sensitive company information if they were laid off.

Some 88 per cent of the 300 IT security professionals quizzed by the privileged identity management vendor admitted they would make off with sensitive company information upon their potential dismissal.

This includes CEO passwords, customer databases and R&D and M&A plans.

A third of IT administrators said they would make good their escape with the privileged password list, which provides the keys to unlock access to every piece of information on the network.

Udi Mokady, co-founder and chief executive of Cyber-Ark, drilled the message home.

“Our advice is secure the most privileged data, and routinely change and manage them, so that if an employee’s contract is terminated, whether sacked or made redundant, they can’t maliciously play havoc inside the network or vindictively steal data for competitive or financial gain," he said.