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Younger Workers More Likely to Break Corporate Rules for Web Apps

As the new generation of workers blurs the line between work and play online, a study by Symantec shows that IT departments need to balance the security risks these users pose with the techno-savvy they bring to the office.

By Jarina D'Auria

April 04, 2008 — CIO —

Growing up in the digital age, Millennials (those born after 1980) are far less likely to leave their preference of technology, specifically Web 2.0 applications, behind as they head to work.

According to a survey released last month by antivirus and security software vendor Symantec, less than half of Millennials—45 percent— say they stick to company-issued devices and applications. That's much less than other workers, 69 percent of whom said they only use work-sanctioned products.

Half of the 600 respondents have policies banning applications such as social networking, iTunes, streaming video and gaming applications, which Millennials tend to access far more than other workers. This kind of attitude should be a spark to business leaders to change how they structure their company, says Samir Kapuria, managing director of advisory services for Symantec. The survey also found that workers save an average of five to six hours per week by using these types of technologies. The respondents included 200 Millennials, 200 older workers and 200 IT executives.

Kapuria said the survey suggested that, instead of blocking applications and preventing workers from using Web 2.0 applications, CIOs should be trying to use these technologies as recruiting tools.

"Instead of blaming their culture, why not ask your IT department why the company's software isn't what the employees are used to and want to use?" says Kapuria.

These younger workers have learned to use Web 2.0 applications to increase their proficiency. While the social networking site Facebook.com started out as a way for college kids to meet, some Millennials have begun to use the site's nearly endless database of contacts as a way to network in business. Such applications have no physical like bygone limitation, making rolodexes a thing of the past. Instead of contacting one person at a time with a phone, employees can contact many people simultaneously, therefore increasing the amount of information they receive, with much less effort.

CIOs should recognize these skills and learn to harness the Millennials' proficiency within their IT infrastructure, says Kapuria.

Focusing on the Millennial workers is a vital part of keeping a business afloat in a environment dependent on technology. "CIOs need to understand how young people use technology," says Penelope Trunk of Brazencareerist.com, whose website is focused on the hiring and training of young professionals. Learning these skills can even help CIOs run their departments and lead to success, especially as businesses become more dependent on technology.

 

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