How to talk to your client about the problem with cheap USB drives:
- USB keys, AKA thumb drives, are being hacked during manufacturing in China.
- We’re recommending that anyone who doesn’t need them destroy the ones they have.
- And for everyone that does need one, we can purchase secure models.
- Those are expensive, over $100 each.
- We’ll need to find out who really needs them and who can simply use OneDrive to move files around.
- We’re going to need you to help us by making an announcement about this so everyone takes this seriously.
USB keys, also known as thumb drives, have become a real security risk, especially as some are being compromised during manufacturing overseas. For most staff, there is no longer a good business reason to use them when OneDrive and other secure cloud tools are available.
At your next meeting, say: “We’re recommending that anyone who does not truly need a USB drive destroy the ones they have. For the few people who do need them, we can purchase secure models, but they are expensive – often over $100 each. We’ll need your help to announce this policy, identify who really needs a secure USB, and have someone act as a champion so people take this seriously.”
This gives you a clear path to reduce risk, move people toward OneDrive, and get leadership buy-in for the cost of secure media where it is genuinely required.
