Security Basics mailing list archives
RE: Physical Security & Protecting Information
From: "Mike Heitz" <mikeheitz () upshotmail com>
Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 09:05:11 -0600
In a situation like you are describing, it would be very difficult to stop this behavior unless Mary steps forward and reports it. I've worked in a few Fortune 500 data centers, and could have easily strolled out with any number of CD's or tapes filled with vital company information. Even if a company has set security rules in place regarding taking physical items (CD, tape, paperwork) out of the office, it still has to be enforced. I would think that if someone has access to the information in some way, if they want to get it out of the building they will find a way. I'm not sure there is a sure-fire method anyone has come up with to combat that. mike heitz ** sr it manager ** UPSHOT 312-943-0900 x5190 -----Original Message----- From: discipulus [mailto:discipulus () attbi com] Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2003 9:14 PM To: security-basics () securityfocus com Subject: Physical Security & Protecting Information Hi, I've read a lot of posts on this list and others and a good deal of security related articles on this site and others like http://www.sans.org and http://www.cert.org Most of what I have read focuses on network and/or computer security but I haven't found very much information that focuses on physical security, specifically in the area of protecting confidential proprietary company information. Here's a scenerio that should clarify what I'm trying to explain: Bob who works as a developer for StealOurStuff inc. tells Mary in the next cube that he's had a job offer from a competitor, plans to quit soon but hasn't told anybody. In the afternoon the following day, Mary notices Bob loading up a box with CDs, floppies and other media, including reams of documentation. She also notices Bob loading this box into the trunk of his car at the end of the day. What can be done to keep this type of potential compromise from happening? From my perspective, even if you have armed security guards that check bags & boxes going in and out of a building, people can still find creative or not so creative ways to get it out. A standard CD isn't that big and flash cards are even smaller. Are there ways to keep someone from getting the information in the first place or at least record what they've obtained? How do you do this when they haven't yet provided notice they are leaving and still have access to loads of confidential information? I've read about corporate espionage cases where a perpetrator at one company busts into the network of another company and stumbles into a directory named "Proposals" of all things but employees who walk out the front doors carrying protected information seems just as damaging or more so to me. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks
Current thread:
- Re: Physical Security & Protecting Information, (continued)
- Re: Physical Security & Protecting Information ullmic (Mar 18)
- Re: Physical Security & Protecting Information Lists (Mar 18)
- Re: Physical Security & Protecting Information Mike Dresser (Mar 18)
- RE: Physical Security & Protecting Information Duston Sickler (Mar 19)
- Re: Physical Security & Protecting Information ullmic (Mar 18)
- Re: Physical Security & Protecting Information Todd (Mar 17)
- Re: Physical Security & Protecting Information discipulus (Mar 17)
- RE: Physical Security & Protecting Information Filip Maertens (Mar 17)
- Re: Physical Security & Protecting Information discipulus (Mar 17)
- Re: Physical Security & Protecting Information pablo gietz (Mar 19)
- Re: Physical Security & Protecting Information A B (Mar 17)
- RE: Physical Security & Protecting Information Mike Heitz (Mar 17)
- Re: Physical Security & Protecting Information ullmic (Mar 20)