Is Twitter the newest data security threat?
One of the most dangerous threats to data security is also one of the least talked about: employees. Are Twitter and other microblogging sites yet another avenue through which sensitive data can leak out of the corporate database and into the hands of … anyone? Perhaps more worrisome, what information are you giving away simply by being a part of the community? Of course Twitter is a potential threat. Like personal e-mail accounts and instant messaging, Twitter and sites of its ilk are primarily messaging mechanisms, which translates into personal channels for exporting sensitive data outside the enterprise. If you aren’t familiar with Twitter, its messaging mechanisms allow several “modes” of communication: a blast to the general twitterverse, a public reply to a specific twitter user, and a direct (private) message to another twitter user. The direct messages aren’t displayed in your public timeline, only the intended recipient can see them, so they’re perfect for sneaking out tidbits like customer information or competitive information like upcoming product features/launches.
