24% of agencies don’t know what data security measures they have in place, Adestra/Econsultancy census finds
The Adestra/Econsultancy Email Marketing Industry Census 2012 has found that 16% of company respondents and 24% of agency respondents did not know whether data security measures were in place, either for themselves or for their clients.
Only 56% of client-side respondents and 47% of supply-side respondents said they, or their clients, have policies and processes in place to guard against breaches of data security.
Linus Gregoriadis, research director at Econsultancy, adds: "This is the first time since the inaugural Email Census five years ago that we have included questions about data security. The results are very worrying as many companies are not doing what they should be doing to avert risk. Companies should address their data security policies now in order to avoid a world of pain further down the line."
The research of 846 people, found that over a quarter did not know whether data security policies existed, and only 25% used authenticated login and/or IP restrictions as a security measure.
Henry Hyder-Smith, MD at Adestra, said: “Securing data and access methods is essential for any organisation. However, our research shows there is a lack of basic knowledge, and a lack of awareness among staff of the security policies in place, which is very worrying. Companies need to check their own processes or their ESP’s against best practices and ensure proper communication with employees – to keep data integrity and prevent brand damage.”
computer image via Shutterstock