Here is a salutary lesson in network security. This time the threat comes not from hackers bypassing anti-virus software, firewalls or internet security systems but the far more basic threat of data theft on a humble USB stick.

"According to a 2005 FBI Computer Crime Survey, 44% of organisations have reported network intrusions from within their own organisations".

Despite spending huge sums on network security many businesses fail to address the very real threat of data theft from within their own walls. Any user can come into the office, plug in a USB stick the size of the average keychain and take out over 32Gb of data. Not only can users can take confidential data, they can introduce viruses, trojans, illegal software and more - actions that ultimately could bring down a company both technically and commercially.

Technology analyst Gartner warns that portable devices containing USB or FireWire connections are a serious new threat to businesses, these include iPods, Pda's and even mobile phones.

The challenge for a network administrator is that you have no way to control this, group policy offers no control.

We recommend and install GFi End Point Security, a software solution enabling complete control over endpoint connectable devices such as PDA's, laptops and more. The solution is available with three protection policies; for laptops, workstations and servers. Unless you have specific access rights you simply cannot get at the data.

In this highly portable world it's reassuring to know there are systems to combat this simple but potentially disastrous crime.