[ Back ]   [ More News ]   [ Home ]
Dell Survey Reveals a Context-Aware Security Approach Keeps the Business Secure and Employees More Productive

ROUND ROCK, Texas — (BUSINESS WIRE) — September 9, 2015Dell today announced the results of a global security survey uncovering how common access management processes limit employee productivity and often force employees to find workarounds that expose organizations to greater risk. In fact, 91 percent of business respondents reported that their productivity is negatively impacted by security measures their employer has put in place. However, if a business were to implement a context-aware security approach, replacing traditional, static access processes, 97 percent of IT professionals say they would see the benefits, including improved worker productivity without compromised security.

Context-aware security replaces static access processes with an approach that evaluates the context surrounding each access request, and adapts security requirements accordingly, delivering the level of security the business needs in real time based on an ever-changing threat landscape. While nearly 100 percent of IT professionals surveyed recognize the benefits a context-aware security approach would bring, only 28 percent said their organizations have fully embraced this approach. More than 60 percent indicated that lack of awareness about context-aware security is the greatest barrier to adopting it in their organization.

Additional notable survey findings:

Organizations can successfully balance the right level of security and employee productivity with a context-aware security approach

Traditional security approaches address point-in-time risk with security implemented in silos. Separate passwords for everything – layered with multifactor authentication – plus separate security measures for remote workers, BYOD, and protection against outside threats result in poorly implemented security that obstructs productivity and exposes the business to risk from employee workarounds. Security doesn’t have to trump employee productivity. A context-aware approach alleviates mismanagement of access issues by focusing on the context of the access request to ensure access is appropriate in real-time. IT gains the ability to automate and “step-up” to multifactor authentication when the context dictates for an informed, priority-based decision specific to the situation. In addition, multiple passwords (or authentication actions) can be unified to present the user with a seamless access experience that maintains all the security that business and IT demand without negatively impacting employee productivity. Implementing a context-aware security approach helps businesses change security from a productivity barrier to a business enabler.

Supporting quote:

“It’s undeniable that IT staff, business professionals, and employees struggle with security. The business puts security first above employee convenience, and, right now, IT thinks it has only two options for security – turn the dial to 1 (open) or 11 (super secure). Context-aware security gives IT the ability to adjust the dial in real-time, giving users the convenience they desire without resorting to risky workarounds, and giving the security team the confidence they need to keep the organization both safe and productive.” – John Milburn, executive director and general manager, Identity and Access Management, Dell Security

About the Survey:

The Dell-commissioned survey by Dimensional Research captured hard data about how organizations’ current security measures affect employee productivity and the use of context-aware security. The survey of more than 300 business users and over 450 IT technology professionals was conducted across the United States, United Kingdom and Germany.

Supporting Resources:

About Dell

Dell Inc. listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services that give them the power to do more. For more information, visit www.dell.com.

Dell World

Join us Oct. 20-22 at Dell World 2015, Dell’s flagship event bringing together technology and business professionals to network, share ideas and help co-create a better future. Learn more at www.dellworld.com and follow #DellWorld on Twitter.

Tweet This: .@Dell_IAM context-aware security approach ensures the security for businesses w/out limiting employee productivity: http://dell.to/1Li6Sgz

Dell is a trademark of Dell Inc. Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.



Contact:

Dell
Media Contact:
Kelly O’Dwyer-Manuel, 613-270-1533
Email Contact
or
Analyst Contact:
Beth Johnson, 415-412-6891
Email Contact