SailPoint recently found one out of every five employees is "going rogue" with corporate data by uploading this information to a cloud application such as Dropbox or Google Docs with the intent to share it outside the company.

Dan Kobialka, Contributing writer

December 16, 2014

2 Min Read
SailPoint recently found that the use of cloud applications to share missioncritical information is problematic for many organizations worldwide
SailPoint recently found that the use of cloud applications to share mission-critical information is problematic for many organizations worldwide.

Identity and access management (IAM) solutions provider SailPoint recently found that the use of cloud applications to share mission-critical information is problematic for many organizations worldwide.

SailPoint’s “2014 Market Pulse Survey” of at least 3,000 employees showed that while 60 percent of workers said they were aware that their employer strictly forbids taking intellectual property when they leave the company, 25 percent admitted they would take copies of corporate data with them.

Survey researchers also noted that one out of every five employees is “going rogue” with corporate data by uploading this information to a cloud application such as Dropbox or Google Docs with the intent to share it outside the company.

“With almost 20 percent of employees purchasing a cloud application for work without involving the IT departments, combined with the ability for employees to use consumer cloud apps for work activities, it’s virtually impossible to manage access to applications and the sharing of mission-critical data,” SailPoint President Kevin Cunningham said in a prepared statement.

Other survey results included:

  • 69 percent of U.S. employees said they were able to access corporate data via cloud storage applications when they left their companies.

  • 61 percent of U.S. employees said they are aware of corporate policies against taking intellectual property when they leave their companies.

  • 27 percent of U.S. employees admitted they would take any corporate data when they left their jobs.

“The survey results are an eye-opener of how cloud applications have made it easy for employees to take information with them when they leave a company,” Cunningham added.

How to develop and deploy an IAM strategy

Businesses need an IAM strategy that facilitates access to cloud and web applications anytime, anywhere, via any device, according to Cunningham.

The survey showed that many businesses are behind when it comes to managing the risks that are frequently associated with cloud apps, Cunningham said, but an IAM strategy could prove to be valuable for companies that want to develop and implement effective cloud app access management policies.

“IAM is a critical component of any risk strategy because it can help organizations prevent data misuse and insider fraud or sabotage. Organizations can’t simply hope for the best when it comes to protecting [sensitive] information,” Cunningham wrote in a blog post.

Share your thoughts about this story in the Comments section below, via Twitter @dkobialka or email me at [email protected].

About the Author(s)

Dan Kobialka

Contributing writer, Penton Technology

Dan Kobialka is a contributing writer for MSPmentor and Talkin' Cloud. In the past, he has produced content for numerous print and online publications, including the Boston Business Journal, Boston Herald and Patch.com. Dan holds a M.A. in Print and Multimedia Journalism from Emerson College and a B.A. in English from Bridgewater State College (now Bridgewater State University). In his free time, Kobialka enjoys jogging, traveling, playing sports, touring breweries and watching football (Go Patriots!).  

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