DeviceLock, Inc., a worldwide leader in endpoint data leak prevention software solutions, urges businesses in the Middle East to look closely at the dangers and costs of data loss on their bottom line. Certain industry sectors across the region have already started to seriously consider and take action when it comes to adopting endpoint security solutions and these include; finance, governmental organizations, the oil & gas industry, contracting, retail and manufacturing.
“Businesses need to comply with their corporate IT security policies, state regulations, and industry standards in the field of information security as this is one of the most effective ways to ensure their valuable corporate data is protected and their business and legal risks related to data security are properly managed,” said Alexei Lesnykh, Business Development Manager, DeviceLock.
Companies need to protect their sensitive, confidential data from being uncontrollably leaked from corporate endpoint computers including desktops, laptops, and servers. The data may leak as a result of removable memory devices (like USB sticks or flash-memory cards) get lost or stolen. Sensitive data could get out of the company’s control when users print documents to locally attached rogue printers, as well as when they connect personal smartphones or PDAs to the company’s network and synchronize data over these connections. To protect themselves against data breaches at corporate computers, businesses need to seriously look into implementing an effective endpoint Data Leak Prevention (DLP) solution across the corporate IT environment.
“It is estimated that in the Middle East, besides impact on brand value, the revenue of the organisation is affected between 20 and 25% due to negligence and in 80% of the cases because of lack of data loss prevention polices," said Khazi Mohamed Akram, General Manager of RAS Infotech, DeviceLock’s distributor for MENA & Indian subcontinent.
Another endpoint leakage channel is the misuse of mobile applications (like email and IM) caused by end user’s negligence, accidental mistakes, simple curiosity, or deliberate actions. In addition, malware may infect endpoint computers when unidentified data are downloaded from removable memory-enabled devices like USB sticks.
