Serious About Security

Most federal employees go above and beyond when it comes to securing confidential and sensitive agency data, according to a new survey by the Government Business Council and CDW Government.

The survey, which included the views of 230 randomly selected federal employees, found that while 97 percent of respondents are required by their agencies to use authentication measures such as passwords, security tokens and biometric identifiers, most still take extra security precautions, such as only using secure network connections and proactively locking their computer screens when away from their desks.

Still, agencies may need to take extra steps to ensure employees undertake those security precautions outside of the office, particularly as they comply with new mandates to increase telework. For example, 86 percent of respondents said that IT security measures have prevented them from being able to access the information they need to be productive while working remotely. Respondents also agreed that agencies could improve the functionality, responsiveness and ease-of-use of IT offerings used outside the office.

The survey found that 89 percent of respondents perform work outside their regular offices, with 59 percent doing so at least weekly. While working offsite, most respondents said they perform routine tasks, such as checking work-related e-mail; reading, composing or sending work-related documents; and participating in work-related calls.

What are your thoughts? Are you less stringent on security when working remotely? What steps will agencies need to take as the new telework law takes effect?