Physical Security

Social media update study

by Mark Rowe

According to new research conducted by a provider of tamper evident products, two thirds of British employees working in data-sensitive sectors have updated their social media accounts while at work, despite the use of phones being prohibited during work hours. And one fifth admitted to breaking this rule as regularly, once a day or more.

As many as two thirds of Britons employed in workplaces where they have access to sensitive and confidential information have admitted that they use their mobile phones to update social media profiles whilst at their desk.

The study, by www.Versapak.co.uk polled a total of 2,093 UK adults aged 18 and over. All taking part stated that they work or had worked in jobs where they were regularly exposed to secure and confidential information and were prohibited from using their phones due to the potential security risk. Examples of data-sensitive workplaces include call centres for national banks, insurance sales and medical helplines.

Respondents were initially asked to reveal if they had ever used their mobile phones to update social media accounts at their desk or in their workplace, in spite of rules against doing so, with 67 per cent admitted that they had done updated social media. ‘Updating a Facebook status or tweet’ (44 per cent), ‘uploading a photo to instagram’ (32 per cent) and ‘directly messaging a friend or family member’ (24 per cent) emerged as the most frequent activities carried out on social media whilst employees were at their work. When asked to disclose how often they accessed social media sites whilst at work, the majority of offending participants (59 per cent) confessed they did so ‘a couple of times a week with 21 per cent admitting to doing so ‘every day’. Six per cent confessed to being so attached to social media, that they used it ‘several times per day’ whilst at work when it’s forbidden.

One in six, 17 per cent of these employees revealed to researchers that they had been caught by their bosses or fellow colleagues, red-handed or as a result of posts made during work hours. Individuals were asked what their punishments had been and, whilst the majority (74 per cent) received a warning or loss of privileges, 11 per cent admitted the act had resulted in instant dismissal from the company. When asked if they had used social media on their phones at work since being caught, two thirds (66 per cent) admitted that they hadn’t done so, whilst 44 per cent had continued to break their employer’s rules.

The firm is calling on businesses to invest in stricter regulations to prevent the risk of important and confidential information ending up on social media sites, breaching data security regulations. The company provides personal security bags, sealable to keep personal items safe.

Leon Edwards, Group Managing Director of Versapak.co.uk, said: “Whilst social media undoubtedly has many advantages, one drawback of sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram is just how easy it is to disseminate information. In a company or office where workers are dealing with confidential and highly private information on a daily basis, data shared through social media, intentional or accidental, has the potential to reach people around the world in a mere matter of seconds. This should not be a risk employers should be willing to take, and by investing in higher personal security measures for staff, they can ensure that they won’t ever have to.”

About Versapak

Versapak International Limited is a manufacturer of tamper evident pouches and bags; clients include RBS, Everything Everywhere, and the National Health Service. For more visit http://www.versapak-int.co.uk.

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