Happy Holidays Everyone,
Last week, on my podcast (Dave the I.T.Guy) I talked about how the U.S. Military has banned the use of all USB devices such as thumb drives, CDs, flash media cards, and all other removable data storage devices from their networks. For the time being that is, in an attempt to stop a serious malware condition from spreading any further.
It appears that the USB devices are being used by the troops tend to be privately owned, therefore, it is quite difficult for the military to control what the troops put on them or where they connect them. Therefore, the military has banned all "Personally owned or non-authorized devices."
There is a solution that the military is imposing. They will allow USB devices that have been screened and authenticated to be used, they will allow their own devices to be used and only military approved devices.
So what does this have to do with you and your business? A LOT!!!
Most importantly, if your organization has a Local Area Network then you certainly should be concerned. The concern should definitely come from the fact that you do not know what your network users are plugging into your USB drives and CD Drives. This is where you have to take a proactive approach and head them off at the pass.
Now is the time to address this very important issue with your network users. Remember, it is not just your livelihood at stake, it is theirs as well. Your network goes off-line, your users cannot do their work so and their livelihood suffers. Now is the time to enact an acceptable use policy for Universal Flash Drives (USB Memory Sticks).
This presentation is a simple Primer on how and why a USB Flash Device control in the workplace is essential
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • USB Devices • malware • virus • AUP • Acceptable Use Policy • UFD • ProActive • Universal Flash Drive • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
