USB Drives: The Underestimated Security Risk in Companies

It's the simplest entry point. And the most underestimated one.

An employee finds a USB drive in the parking lot. Curiosity wins. They plug it into their laptop to see what's on it.

What's on it: malware. What happens: a compromised network. What it costs: an average of 4.5 million euros per incident.

Why classic endpoint security fails.

Most DLP solutions scan USB media when connected. That's good. But it's not enough.

First: detection happens after connection. Too late, if the employee has already opened the file.

Second: many USB attacks use zero-day exploits. Signature detection doesn't know them.

Third: most security policies allow USB in principle — with exceptions for executables. That opens a big gap.

What actually works.

Disable USB ports for unauthorized devices. Not just storage — also mice, keyboards, chargers.

Block all USB media by default. Only approved, signed devices get through.

Train employees. Awareness that a USB drive is a weapon changes behavior more than any policy.

Implement a solution that controls USB devices at the endpoint — not just scans, but approves.