Lack of encryption and weak or shared passwords on Apple devices in the workplace are exposing sensitive corporate data and customer information, says research from identity protection specialist Centrify Corporation.
The survey of 2,249 U.S. employees, conducted by Dimensional Research, found that while people widely use Apple devices for work, the lack of security and management of those devices is leading businesses to significant liabilities.
Nearly half (45%) used at least one Apple device for work purposes, and overall nearly two-thirds (63%) of those Apple devices are owned by a single user, as opposed to the company, and are used to access work email, corporate documents, and business applications.
Nearly three-fifths (59%) of Macs are used to access confidential company information, while 65% of Macs are used to access sensitive data or customer information. Additionally, 51% of iPhones in the workplace were used to access business applications, while 58% of iPads in the workplace were used to access business applications.
However, worryingly, the survey found that despite the popularity of Apple devices in the workplace, businesses are not investing enough in securing or managing them. More than half (51%) of devices secured by a password have simply used a word or a series of numbers.
Most devices (58%) do not have software installed to enforce strong passwords, and a similar proportion say they have shared their passwords with others. Worse, only 17% of Apple devices report having a company-supplied password manager, and only 28% of Apple devices have company-supplied device management solutions installed. Only just over a third of Apple devices had encryption for stored data because it was enforced by their company.
