In case you haven’t been keeping an eye on the news this week, a USB Drive was found in the street containing sensitive Heathrow security data, including the Queen’s route to the airport.
And it’s not the first time something like this has happened.
Back in April, I wrote about malware that was designed to look like Siemens software found in many industrial plants and how the suspicion was that it had been spread using an infected USB stick.
And before that, there was the Stuxnet – ‘the first digital weapon’.
Stuxnet was a virus designed to spread via – yep, you’ve guessed it – an infected USB stick.
So are USB drives worth the risk?
Here are my thoughts:
USB drives are great for moving personal photos and files, BUT they are not fit for the purpose of storing and moving information in an industrial environment or storing sensitive information in a commercial environment.
Including USB ports on your equipment opens up the possibility at worst of malicious use and at best un-controlled use.
We have many customers who solve these problems by using removable memory products specifically designed for secure, industrial use.
Would you like to escape from the risks associated with using consumer USB sticks and ports?
If so, please contact us; we can help you!