Over-reliance on network data combined with sloppy attitudes to protecting that data is a threat to businesses, research suggests.
Respondents to the poll by secure online backup specialist Databarracks revealed that while 84 per cent of employees were dependent on network data access to do their jobs, they were not taking enough precautions to protect it.
Some 57 per cent of employees have lost a computer drive containing information, for example a laptop or memory stick, in a pub, bar or restaurant.
Almost two-thirds admitted to deleting network data by mistake or failing to back up important information onto the network.
Managing director of Databarracks Peter Groucutt said: "This research paints a frightening picture for UK organisations.
"More organisations have to start seriously considering secure online backup to protect themselves from unforeseen events."
In its tenth annual global information security survey, Ernst & Young recently suggested that IT security should be more fully integrated with risk management.
