Gen Z employees often bypass workplace data protection

A recent survey by Dojo highlights the widespread bypassing of basic security measures among employees, particularly those from Generation Z.

The UK Government has reported that half of UK businesses have faced a cyber security breach or attack in the past year. Despite investments in data protection, human error remains a significant vulnerability, being the cause of over 95% of data breaches according to some studies.

In the survey, conducted by card payment provider Dojo, 1,000 Gen Z employees were assessed on their adherence to security protocols. Findings show more than half (57%) do not keep work passwords private.

Naveed Islam, Chief Information Security Officer at Dojo, offers guidance on safeguarding businesses against privacy breaches. "Many workplaces implement technologies and processes designed to protect their sensitive information. Yet, our study reiterates that there is still work to be done in educating staff, highlighting the importance of making employees aware of company security policies - such as taking work related phone calls in private and refraining from sharing private work information with friends - both of which work towards ensuring information is prevented from unintentionally falling into the wrong hands. This can be enforced by carrying out regular, comprehensive training and being clear about the expectations of your business and the risks of data breaches."

From the survey, the security guidelines with the lowest adherence were taking work calls in private, with only 17% compliance. This indicates that 83% of employees may be compromising confidentiality by discussing work matters in public settings.

Additionally, only 25% of employees reported keeping work information private, exacerbating the risk of information leaks. Over half (57%) of employers indicated they would not retain an employee if they were found to be sharing sensitive information with external parties.

Regarding physical security, just 20% of employees consistently use key fobs for entry to their workplace. This suggests a significant lapse in adhering to building security protocols and potentially jeopardises the safety of the work environment.

The survey also identified 15 key data protection practices that employees should adhere to. However, across these measures, adherence was generally low. For example, only 36% of respondents lock their laptops or computers when leaving the room, and just 43% maintain password confidentiality.

The findings suggest a need for improved education and enforcement of security measures within organisations. Emphasis on privacy, both of information and work activities, appears to be lacking amongst Gen Z workers, potentially leading to increased risks of data breaches.