Based on a study that examined about six million devices , Absolute’s 2019 Data & Device Risk Report found that 47 percent of the devices had disabled or malfunctioning encryption. It also determined that vulnerabilities in the devices led to external breaches in 35 percent of devices.
In the case of security, the report determined that less is more when using security applications on devices. The average number of applications on these devices was 132.
“The more security tools you put on a device, the less secure that device becomes – unless those tools are deliberately controlled,” the study said.
Even still, the report found a large percentage of “well-functioning” controls fail regularly. Looking at a decline in security controls, 21 percent of devices had outdated endpoint protection tools. A balance of resources and IT talent has contributed to security decision makers’ top challenges in addressing these issues, according to the study.
IT complexity, lack of skills, lack of staff, and lack of budget were the four largest hurdles for security decision makers, the study found. It also said data and device security spending is expected to grow in 2019 with 90 percent of organizations expected to spend the same or more funding.
