IT Brief New Zealand - Technology news for CIOs & IT decision-makers
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Is your company Edward Snowden-proof?
Fri, 2nd Aug 2013
FYI, this story is more than a year old

Edward Snowden. The name that sends chills down company corridors.

The former-CIA assistant turned whistleblower is a living lesson of the dangers that can occur for large enterprises when a high-level IT genius goes rogue.

Snowden, who was granted one year asylum in Russia this week, is escaping US extradition after releasing top-secret surveillance documents regarding Whitehouse security protocols.

And while President Barack Obama plays a high-publicised game of Cat and Mouse with his evasive compatriot, many large firms are now locking down security systems, essentially, making them 'Edward Snowden-proof.'

Given most large companies hold some kind of sensitive data, employing a Snowden type figure is their worst nightmare.

But as businesses scurry frantically trying to keep their secrets safe, it appears some forward-thinking companies have adopted the 'if you can't beat them, join them' philosophy.

"I have to say, he's getting a lot of job offers coming in," said Anatoly Kucherena to Mashable, Russian senator and Snowden's lawyer.

"Offers from journalists to work together, and the like. I've passed them on to him, he'll make the decision himself."

No doubt Snowden has also been inundated with interview requests, book deals and movie ideas, but at present, Kucherena claims the young American is focused on settling down in Russia and finding work.

"His father is coming [to Moscow] soon, his American lawyer is coming," Kucherena told Mashable.

"He won't be left to face his fate alone. He has American friends here. So everything will be okay."

Should companies 'Edward Snowden-proof' their businesses? Tell us your thoughts below