Are organizations aware of the security risks from email attachments? Generally not.
With email attachments typically accounting for more than 70% of e-mail volume, the bulk of data on email systems resides in the email attachments not email messages. Unfortunately in many organizations the management of email attachments is an afterthought leading to security vulnerabilities.
The disturbing reality is that users will try to force as much information through email as they can get away. Without adequate security controls in place users commonly send confidential information unprotected through email attachments. In cases where users hit email attachment size limits, they rapidly seek out unsecure IT workarounds such as thumb drives, CDs, P2P file sharing, just to get their job done.
So why the apparent lack of concern regarding the security of email attachments? Here are just 3 of the common misconceptions:
• Misconception #1: E-mail attachments are limited to 10MB; therefore, the risk of a data breach from file transfer is minimal.
• Misconception #2: FTP is available; therefore, the risk of a data breach from file transfer is minimal.
• Misconception #3: We haven’t experienced a security breach from unsecure file transfer, so the risk of a data breach from file transfer is minimal.
To learn how these common misconceptions compromise security read the full article published in Enterprise Systems this week.
Given the increased profile of data breaches and updated and extended compliance regulations such as HIPAA, now is not the time to ignore security vulnerabilities. Organizations, large and small, are waking up to the hazards of email attachments and are deploying managed file transfer solutions to protect confidential information and ensure compliance.
Give us a call if you would like to review the security of email attachments and investigate deployment of a managed file transfer solution to protect your organization.
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