Non-Malicious Destruction of Data

Protecting the data employees need to do their jobs is of vital importance to every company and should be viewed by any Information Technology professional as the top priority. While outsider threats to the integrity of the network must be given a high priority, we must not forget that often the greatest threat to the company is from the inside. Malicious and nonmalicious damage by users still represents the greatest threat to the integrity of the network and the data that resides on that network. Accidental destruction of data is almost unavoidable given that nearly every office employee must use a computer at some point in the execution of their normal duties. Moreover, employees or consultants within the company are in a unique position to do the most malicious damage by knowing which files are likely to create the greatest disruption when sabotaged and by having access to those files on a regular basis. Additionally, temporary employees and consultants are less likely to protect the company's data through observance of established security and integrity procedures. Since their role in the company is temporary, they may simply have been given inadequate training in company security procedures.