Visual Hacking Threat: 72.5% Success Rate in 'Shoulder Surfing' Attempts
Visual hacking, or 'shoulder surfing', is emerging as a significant threat to both public and private sector organizations. A recent study by the Ponemon Institute revealed alarming figures, with 'white hat hackers' successfully obtaining sensitive information in 72.5% of attempts. To combat this, the Cabinet Office, Department of Work and Pensions, and Foreign and Commonwealth Office are integrating visual privacy into their security strategies. Meanwhile, banks are mandating visual privacy guidelines organization-wide.
The study found that on average, hackers obtained five pieces of sensitive or confidential information per attempt. Customer service, communications, and sales departments were particularly vulnerable. Mobile working, especially in public places, exacerbates this risk. To protect sensitive data, organizations are adopting multi-faceted information security strategies. A layered approach, preventing and monitoring issues on various fronts, is becoming common. Educating staff about visual hacking and implementing simple measures like using privacy filters can significantly bolster security.
As visual hacking poses a growing concern, organizations are taking proactive steps to mitigate the risk. Government departments and financial institutions are leading the way, integrating visual privacy into their security strategies. By educating staff and adopting a layered approach, organizations can effectively protect sensitive data from visual hacking attempts.
