The young, tech-savvy generation better known as the Millennials may be technologically advanced but studies show that it is at the cost of their own internet security.
Growing up in an age of advancement has given millennials the edge over their predecessors and allowed them to accept change much faster. Multiple social media accounts and a noticeable online presence have become the norm. Millennials feel right at home in their technology-driven world, but it might be at the cost of their own security.
Statistical data suggests that millennials may be the worst generation when it comes to taking proper online safety precautions. Not only do careless cybersecurity practices put their personal data at risk, they are also a grave concern for employers whose confidential data can be compromised as well.
85% Millennials Admit to Reusing Passwords
Password reuse is the most common cybersecurity sin and the easiest way to compromise your confidential data. In a survey, 85% millennials admitted to reusing passwords across different accounts. However, that may be due to the growing number of social media accounts that people have to manage these days. The easiest solution would be to encourage millennials to use sophisticated and secure password managers to combat this harmful habit.
Millennials Are More Likely to Ignore Security Barriers
Many millennials in the workplace are known to bypass security barriers to get the job done. Workplace restrictions of social media can also act as a motivator to ignore cybersecurity rules set in place for employees. While companies prefer the technological advancement of millennial employees, their tech-savviness can often result in circumvention of security regulations, putting the entire company at risk.
Millennials Prefer to Access Business Data on the Go
With workplace applications providing millennials the ability to access important business documents on the go, the risk of a security breach is even higher. Since the lines between social and workplace computing has blurred drastically, companies have to change their policies to adapt to it. The obvious solution is to implement strict access control policies that are flexible yet secure.
Companies can train employees to use a list of pre-approved apps and implement access controls to regulate which data is available on personal devices. Creating a distinct divide between personal and business is the key to achieving good online security.
Solution – Better Interactive Training and Stricter Access Control
While millennials might be a potential risk to employers due to their carelessness when it comes to online security, better interactive training and stricter access controls will go a long way in helping them get a better hold on their cybersecurity habits. Companies just need to implement effective ways to harness their technological know-how into something truly productive and beneficial for the entire organization.
