McAfee: Data Loss Still Major Threat

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- McAfee, Inc. (NYSE: MFE), today revealed new research indicating that while most American companies are investing in technology and policy to secure sensitive data from outside attacks, the threat of data loss at the hands of their own employees is what should have their attention. The study, conducted for McAfee by Illuminas, surveyed 300 office workers across the United States at companies with at least 200 employees. More than two-thirds of responses came from organizations with more than 1,000 employees.

The research suggests that most U.S. companies are establishing corporate policies to prevent data loss, with the overwhelming majority of respondents(84 percent) saying their company has a formal policy in place regarding the treatment of sensitive information. However, the research also reveals that many employees consistently disregard those policies. For example, 21 percent of all respondents admitted to leaving a confidential or sensitive document on a printer tray, and 22 percent said they sometimes lend to colleagues the portable devices on which they store work documents.

Key findings that demonstrate the danger American employees are posing to corporate security include:

McAfee Inc. (NYSE: MFE)