Posted in The Broadcaster's Desktop Resource
By Barry Mishkind
You may never look at a USB thumb drive or cable the same way after reading this. What was just a precaution that seemed like overkill now may be a warning we need to know. See how this all progressed.
USB devices are so common that most people plug them in without a second thought. But that casual habit carries real risks — from data theft to hardware destruction. Here is why you should think twice before connecting an unknown USB device.
Some years ago, I had the opportunity to visit the office of a fairly well-known Group Chief Engineer. As we talked, I offered him a flash drive with information about a matter about which we had previously spoken and emailed. His response surprised me.
“That will not work. All the USB ports in our computers have been disabled and/or blocked. The only exception is one completely isolated unit in the studio for talk show guests,” he said. “If you want to get that information to me, just send it in an email.”
POLICY OVERKILL?
At first, I was taken aback. Flash drives were the key to the “sneaker network” many of us used all the time.
Getting information from studio to transmitter, for example was much easier when we could put it in our pocket and connect on site. IP and network connections, logins, and directory searches were bypassed in a moment.
But, here, all the USB ports were not only disconnected, many (most?) were actually blocked from accepting the plug at all.
A REASON FOR THE TIME
It only took a few minutes for the group chief to explain why this policy evolved.
