Dirty laundry alert? GCC executives at high risk of privacy breaches

The increasing use of mobile devices for work is continuing to rise, Gulf Business Machines (GBM), the region’s number one provider of IT solutions and services, has revealed in its recent market survey.

According to the survey results, 80 percent of executives use their personal mobile devices for work purposes but only 10 percent adopt appropriate security measures to protect the corporate data stored there.

The annual GBM Security Study, now in its fourth year, has shown that security breaches in the GCC are on the rise, with one in five participants being aware of a privacy violation in the past 12 months. Increasing threats of cyber-attacks, coupled with the rise of cloud adoption, mobility and social media, led companies to implement more flexible technologies in the workplace, whilst not necessarily investing enough to mitigate against potential risks associated.

“Security has become a boardroom discussion within an organization and in our fourth edition of GBM Annual Security Study, we are focusing on the regional executives’ awareness and readiness to address the security challenges” said Hani Nofal, vice president, Intelligent Network Solutions, GBM.

“The survey showed that around a third of respondents are still unaware of the laws and regulations related to cyber security in their country. More awareness needs to be raised and measures put in place,” he added.

As services are continually being brought online and the region’s growing focus on smart services, GBM’s survey has shown that cyber security continues to cause concern for organizations and individuals. The survey also showed that 86 percent of participants are concerned with data and identity theft that could result from having to provide personal data while making online transactions. Yet, three out of five participants blindly accept online terms and conditions, which in turn, might lead to privacy breaches. 

“The future is digital,” Nofal further said. “And we must ensure that the correct security measures are in place in order for organizations, and the general public to feel safe in the technologies that can provide added value to their working and personal lives.”