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by John W. Simek, Vice President of Sensei Enterprises, Inc.

IBM Bans USB Drives

May 14, 2018

Instead of trying to manage and control what data gets copied to external devices, IBM has gone cold turkey and will no longer allow the usage of USB drives. Naked Security reports that IBM's Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Shamla Naidoo, has taken a stance similar to the statement, "If you want to move files around, use the network." Perhaps the new policy isn't as crazy as it sounds. Banning USB sticks certainly makes data security a lot simpler. If you don't copy data to a USB flash drive, there's nothing to lose and one less reason to report a data breach. If you want to avoid an outright ban on USB storage, Naked Security recommends the following:

  • Encrypt all your USB devices
  • Provide easy-to-use alternatives
  • Make everyone aware of the risks
  • Check your logs

I've met Shamla Naidoo and heard her speak at ABA TECHSHOW. She is one smart lady. If anybody can pull off a complete ban on USB drives and still be successful, she can.

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