世論 What Japan Thinks

With the Winny file sharing program being the main vector for data loss (that we hear of, anyway) in Japan, what about another way, through careless use of removable media at work? This was the topic of a recent survey by Marsh Inc and reported on by japan.internet.com.

Demographics

Between the 17th and 19th of September 2008 300 members of the Marsh monitor group employed in either the public or private sector completed an internet-based private questionnaire. The sample was exactly 50:50 male and female, and 20:20:20:20:20 by age split between those in their twenties, thirties, forties, fifties and aged sixty or older.

Company confidentiality prevents me talking about any data loss issues that may or may not have happened, but we have recently introduced draconian policies for handling writable media that has resulted in us throwing out almost everything from floppy disks to memory sticks as part of a media traceability scheme. The biggest bummer personally is that I am no longer allowed to take my mobile phone into my office (I work in a high-security level area) so I do get a bit lonely during the day.

Research results

Q1: Do you use a personal computer at work? (Sample size=300)

Yes (to SQs)	89.0%
No	11.0%

Of the 267 people with computers at work, 235 people, or 88.0% has a USB port on theirs, and 97.4% had a CD, DVD or other removable media (including floppy?) on theirs. Sadly, there was no distinction made between read-only and read-write drives.

Q1SQ1: Are you allowed to use removable media on your computer at work? (Sample size=267)

No particular rules on use	65.5%
Only certain types of media are allowed	10.1%
Only certain types of usage are allowed	12.4%
All removable media is forbidden	9.0%
Other	3.0%

Q1SQ2: Have you ever had training regarding information leaks at your workplace? (Sample size=267)

Never	43.8%
Sometimes (to SQ3)	30.7%
Often (to SQ3)	13.5%
Regularly (to SQ3)	10.9%
Other (to SQ3)	1.1%

Q1SQ3: What has your training been about? (Sample size=150, multiple answer)

	Votes	Percentage
Personal information storage	129	86.0%
Document storage	99	66.0%
Removable media storage	79	52.7%
Security software usage	77	51.3%
Mobile computer usage	69	46.0%
Other	2	1.3%