Data security for a retail employee

What are the risks of copying the database to the laptop and taking it home or on a trip?

The most obvious risk associated with copying the database to her laptop are related to security. Here, here laptop may not have the same security provision as the retail company that employs her. Likewise, data during the transfer process can be compromised depending on when and where she conducts the transfer. For example, Wi-Fi networks themselves are very vulnerable to nefarious acts. For examples hackers have been know to intercept Wi-Fi to connect their own device. In addition, hackers can access the Wi-Fi network and thus gain access to connected devices. This is can particularly dangerous as not only does the hacker have access to the database via Jackie’s laptop, they could potentially have access to other pertinent customer files and information. This information can then be compromised, sold on the black market, or used as a means to steal from unsuspecting customers (Chi, 2017).

In addition, the laptop itself can be stolen. This is particularly true if Jackie has lax standards related to her laptop security. For instance, while out of town, Jackie could leave her laptop in the hotel. Here cleaning personnel or others who have access to her room could steal the laptop. The likelihood of this occurring depends heavily on the location in which Jackie will be traveling to. For example, foreign countries with high crime rates may have a higher likelihood of stealing her laptop. In addition to the hotel, she could simply forget her laptop within a foreign country where her ability to get the laptop back may be significantly lower than her home country. It is not uncommon for individual to forget cell phones, wallets, laptops and other personal items when at a restaurant, library, or local establishment. By copying the database to her personal device, this ultimately puts the entire organization at risk and should therefore be avoided (Dudash, 2016)

What are the chances that this data will be at risk?

The chances are low but still high enough to warrant caution on the part of Jackie and the organization. The ability and sophistication of hackers continues to improve with our ability to counteract them becoming much less consistent. As such, the chances of having the data at risk can vary depending heavily on the actions of Jackie as it relates to copying the database. Using public wi-fi, leaving the laptop in highlight trafficked areas, or traveling to a country with high crime all place the data a risk. Here, the risk is much higher relative to leaving the data within the retail organization itself. As such the chances of compromise are low, but should still be avoided as the fallout associated with a data breach can be cataphoric to the organization, its customers, and their families (Voss, 2012).