Seven common information security myths

According to a 2016 study by Shred-It, 39 per cent of Canadian small businesses fail to provide employees with security training. That lack of knowledge about security best practices not only increases the risk of a data breach or security event, but it can also lead to myths and misinformation about the security of data.

IT in Canada Online presents seven security myths the Shred-It survey uncovered amongst employees, including “messages on smartphones and laptops are private.” While this could be mostly true, employees handling sensitive information need to be aware of where they are viewing their data as it can still be compromised visually.

Another common myth unveiled by the survey is that public wi-fi networks are secure as long as they require a password to access. The hard truth is that public wi-fi is notoriously insecure, and data thieves can still get their hands on data, even if the network is password protected. Accessing confidential data on trusted networks is the best way to ensure it remains secure.

The complete list of myths, including misconceptions about Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) are available by following the link below.