In most organizations, computers, applications, PDAs, smart phones, and data storage peripherals serve as the nervous system of daily business. Applications that track a company’s financials, supply chain, and human resources are essential; almost every employee uses information technology (IT) daily.

The reliance of people and businesses on IT creates its own challenges. In many organizations, employees can peruse web sites, send and receive email, download software, and install applications whenever they want. On the one hand, such openness helps business flow by empowering workers to use information freely; on the other, it can risk the security and integrity of both computers and data.