I’m a Security Officer, Pentester, a SysAdmin, a nerd and a stuborn human. How do we, as companies, strike a balance between a secure IT environment and respecting the human element? This post explores how excessive security can hinder productivity and trust.
The Risks of Over-Security#
In an effort to stay one step ahead of threats, many organizations are implementing overly aggressive security protocols. While these measures may seem effective in theory, I believe they often lead to:
Employee Frustration and Productivity Loss: Overly restrictive security protocols can lead to employee frustration, decreased productivity and burnout. Technical employees, who already spend significant time on complex tasks, may feel like their work is being hindered by unnecessary security restrictions. This frustration can lead to shadow IT and the loss of personnel, as employees may seek opportunities with competitors. Furthermore, technical staff may feel overly scrutinized, as if their security awareness is doubted, leading to feelings of being unwanted and exacerbating frustrations. As someone who has been on both sides of the security fence, I’ve seen this firsthand.
Technical Debt: Implementing overly complex or restrictive security measures can result in technical debt, which refers to the cost of maintaining and updating these systems over time. This can divert resources away from more pressing technical issues and make it challenging to implement new technologies. From my experience, this debt can quickly spiral out of control.
Security Fatigue: When employees are constantly being told not to do something due to security concerns, they may develop a mindset of “security fatigue.” This can lead to a culture where employees feel like they’re walking on eggshells, waiting for the next email warning them about potential security threats. I’ve witnessed this fatigue erode even the most security-conscious individuals.
Paradoxically, companies that are excessive in security measurements often fail in basic security tasks. What’s more, the very IT personnel subjected to these hindering, excessive security measures are often those with a higher security standard, making them acutely aware of the basic flaws the company overlooks, such as sending passwords and account data in the same email, exposing every employee’s email address by using the TO line instead of BCC when sending mass emails, or relying on third-party file transfer services without proper vetting. This inconsistency undermines the entire security posture and breeds further frustration. It’s baffling to me how often I see this happen.
The Consequences of Under-Security#
On the other hand, under-security can have severe consequences, including:
- Data breaches and cyber attacks: Inadequate security measures can leave organizations vulnerable to data breaches and cyber attacks.
- System compromise: Insufficient security configurations can allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems or networks.
Finding the Balance#
So, how do I strike a balance between excessive security and under-security? The answer, in my opinion, lies in understanding the context, scope and intent behind security measures. Here are some key takeaways:
- Risk assessment: Conduct thorough risk assessments to determine the level of threat and necessary security measures.
- Proportionality: Ensure that security measures are proportionate to the risk and not overly aggressive or invasive.
- Regular vulnerability scanning: Regularly scan systems for vulnerabilities and address them promptly.
- Continuous monitoring and evaluation: Continuously monitor and evaluate security measures to ensure they remain effective and up-to-date.
Best Practices for Over-Security Prevention#
To avoid the pitfalls of over-security, I suggest considering the following best practices:
- Implement a layered security approach: Use a combination of security measures, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems and encryption.
- Regularly review and update security protocols: Stay up-to-date with the latest threats and vulnerabilities to ensure your security measures remain effective.
- Prioritize user experience: Ensure that security measures do not compromise user productivity or convenience.
- Implement Security Awareness Trainings: Regularly train your employees, this will increase the security and lower the risk.
Conclusion#
Over-security can harm individuals and organizations. While securing networks and infrastructure is vital, excessive control over personnel is counterproductive. Instead of strict “zero trust,” I prioritize employee education, awareness and simulated phishing exercises. I trust my trained personnel to uphold security, fostering a balance between protection and productivity.