Many chief operating officers (CTOs) in the UK's small and medium-sized enterprises are worried about internal security – protection within the Local Area Network (LAN) – in their company.

Research from ConSentry Networks found that uncontrolled network access in SMEs is the biggest IT headache for CTOs.

These IT professionals are concerned that employees with unrestricted access to all LAN assets are creating a situation where companies are vulnerable to loss or theft of sensitive information, fraud and litigation.

"The need for identity-based control is pervasive - companies of all kinds are struggling with how to limit what their employees can access," explained Tom Barsi, chief executive of ConSentry Networks.

"This data validates that the battleground has shifted toward internal control and that it applies to controlling employees – not just what 'outsiders' like guests and contractors can access."

A recent report found that one in three IT workers in SMEs use their administrator privileges to look at private and restricted information.