Seven out of 10 young employees frequently ignore IT policies, and one in four is a victim of identity theft before the age of 30, according to yet another study released by Cisco this week. Actually, this one is the final installation of a three-part Connected World Technology Report issued by the company.
The first two parts revealed just how indifferent young workers are to the IT policies of their workplace, and how entitled they feel to breach them in order to fulfill their gadgety lifestyle. The earlier reports found that some would rather date virtually over the Internet than physically - they view Internet access as a staple of life, like air, food and water - and that a technologically liberal workplace is greater compensation than a higher salary.
This third installment found that their desire for on-demand access to information is so ingrained that many young professionals take extreme measures to access the Internet, even if it compromises their company or their own security. Such behavior includes secretly using neighbors' wireless connections, sitting in front of businesses to access free Wi-Fi networks, and borrowing other people's devices without supervision.
Sounds like a normal workday to me, and for me. And I'm not a young-un - I'm looking to retire in 10-15 years.
But this behavior comes with a price, Cisco asserts. The company's study found that one in four college students and employees experiences identity theft before the age of 30. They might be asking for it: One in three college students globally does not mind sharing personal information online, believes privacy boundaries are loosening, or does not think about privacy, the Cisco study found.
Even if they did, Cisco found that 70% of the young employees it surveyed admitted to breaking IT policy with varying regularity. One-third said they didn't see anything wrong with breaking policy, and two-thirds said IT policies need to be modified "to address real-life demands for more work flexibility."
Three of five employees believe they are not responsible for protecting information and devices, believing instead that IT and/or service providers are accountable, the Cisco study found. Kids... ah, the liberating air of unaccountability.
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