16 Dec 2011
The youngest generation of enterprise professionals aged between 18 and 30 have little respect for their company's IT policies, and many feel that breaking them is necessary to perform their jobs well.
This is one of the findings of a new report from Cisco called Cisco Connected World Technology Report.
The report found that 25 per cent of young employees have been a victim of identity theft – possibly as a result of the 75 per cent that regularly ignore IT policies.
Rebecca Jacoby, CIO at Cisco, said the flexible working arrangements preferred by the younger generation of workers increases the need for tight security policies.
"As workforces become increasingly mobile, the shift in IT infrastructure means that security and policy are no longer an 'add-on' but the highest priority," she said.
John N Stewart, chief security officer at Cisco, pointed to the desire of the next generation of workers to use social media, and explained that IT must find a way to support this.
"The next-generation workforce is looking for more open access to information and social media," he said. "The findings outlined in the Cisco Connected World Technology Report provide valuable insights into how we must adapt IT and security policies to enable mobility and productivity while still managing risk."
He added that, if successful, these policies could enable a productivity boost. "Done well, security enables mobility and social media access to provide the necessary productivity boost."
The report also warned that younger workers expect access to information on-demand, and will ignore security policies to pursue this data over the internet if they cannot get it through approved channels.
"Such behavior includes secretly using neighbors' wireless connections, sitting in front of businesses to access free Wi-Fi networks, and borrowing other people's devices without supervision," it stated.
Over a third of respondents stated that they did not respect their IT departments, suggesting that IT must also work on its PR. Younger employees want flexible access to social media, mobile devices and remote access, which stretches the limits of some corporate cultures.
However, the report also stated that failing to meet these expectations could mean that the brightest talent looks elsewhere.
"These employee demands are placing greater pressure on recruiters, hiring managers, IT departments and corporate cultures to allow more flexibility in the hope the next wave of talent can provide an edge over competitors."
@Darren,
This is nothing to do with efficiency- it is about company policies. I am all for making things leaner, faster and easier. Again, the reality is there are good reasons for having restrictions in place.
If an individual finds their company policies or procedures lacking then they should propose changes to them with the business. What the report was saying is that a fair percentage of employees are blatantly ignoring them (potentially leaving them liable to dismissal).
This is not an IT issue, it is a business one. IT will follow the policies laid down and as I keep saying if you have more efficient ways of working let the business know. If it is good then it follows that it should happen.
Posted by: TechGuy 17 Jan 2012
In the Darwinian employment ecosystem, anyone with principles will choose the best option for themselves: Either slave away in a job they hate, or choose somewhere that fits with their principles. The result? Some companies will prosper by 'breaking all the rules' and creating new models that make a profit securely AND give their employees a satisfying experience. The rest will either die, or become profit-centric grindhouses. Anyone intelligent enough and capable enough will always choose the line of least resistance. Deriding people for trying to be efficient (as per TechyGuy's comment) is missing the point: People demand job satisfaction or it's not worthwhile.
Posted by: Darren 22 Dec 2011
So the poor darlings expect this, that and the other? Well tell you what - get them to go to their boss to see his boss to approve it at board level. Then it will be properly costed, fit in around the legal requirements the company will have with its data and everyone will be happy.
What? The board says the company is in the worst economic downturn for several decades and needs its cash to survive? Tell young johnny to sling his hook? See what several months of the dole does for his social needs? Get someone else from the millions who would be extremely grateful for a job?
Get real. It isnt IT stopping you do this, its the business. Hassle the business about it to change. If the leaders say do it it will happen. The reality is though that there are strong reasons for locking things down, preventing data loss and corruption and protecting a companys reputation.
Guess that does fit with some peoples career building plans.
Posted by: Techyguy 20 Dec 2011
I used to work in PR before working in IT - the solution is not to get all touchy feely about it, the solution is zero tolerance and make sure the IT dept. and HR have a good relationship to make sure the disciplinary procedure goes smoothly when it happens. Certainly make employees aware of the negative consequences of such behaviour but frankly anyone engaging in the behaviour in this article must be aware of the security risks (taking someone else's device is theft). Either that or they're completely stupid, in either case they aren't going to make a good employee.
Posted by: Steve 19 Dec 2011
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