DATA SECURITY THREATS IN THE HOME ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to assess the relevance of data security in the home environment and to identify the nature of vulnerability. At the time of writing most data in the home is stored manually. The widespread use of the Internet, home pc’s and mobile devices now means that increasingly individuals (and families) are storing “home information” electronically. It is highly likely to be a trend that continues. Information on specific data security related issues is widely available in terms of “how to protect your pc” and there are also many products that are available to assist with this. The level of actual understanding that home users have of the general data security issues and the means that they take to protect themselves are not well documented. The approach taken in this paper is to look at many of the data security threats posed to existing ICT devices and to put them in the context of systems that are currently used or may be used in future, in the home environment. The paper clearly defines that it is not concerned with the broader topics of data assurance (which would include fire, flood etc). The primary focus is the potential for malicious acts being committed by unauthorised use of the systems. Where are the threats from and what can be done to alleviate them? Are the main vulnerabilities in the connectivity, the systems, or both? Since technology now softens the “environmental” boundaries, this paper alludes to the scope of the home environment. It also discusses existing solutions to perceived threats; whether they appear to be understood and whether they appear to be working. It looks for the evidence to demonstrate the significance of data security in relation to the development of “intelligent homes”. The paper then takes into consideration the directions in which technology appears to be developing in arriving at conclusions.

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