Survey: Business Executives Generally Skeptical of Gen Z’s Handling of Company Confidential Information and Data

Concerns about security risks associated with Gen Z employees are overshadowing more traditional worries like work ethic and attire for business leaders, according to a new survey by PasswordManager.com.

The survey reveals that 52% of business leaders express significant concerns regarding Gen Z employees posing security risks, with 19% indicating a lack of trust in their ability to handle confidential information. Alarmingly, nearly 45% believe Gen Zers are more prone to leaking company information, while 47% think it’s likely they would share sensitive details on social media for likes or content.

The study, conducted earlier this month, gathered insights from approximately 1,000 U.S. business leaders. Key findings include:

• 58% have increased training due to Gen Z-related concerns.
• 34% report witnessing Gen Zers posting “day in the life” TikToks that reveal sensitive information.
• 30% of companies are opting to avoid hiring Gen Z employees altogether.
• 29% have noted Gen Z staff filming in front of whiteboards or strategic plans.
• 28% state Gen Z employees have shared Zoom clips or screenshots from confidential meetings.
• 23% report Gen Zers using real customer data in video skits.
• 23% have seen Gen Z employees share inbox screenshots as “corporate cringe.”
• 21% mention encountering “rage videos” where private information has been exposed.
• 18% confirm that a Gen Z employee has leaked confidential information, which most often resulted in reputational damage (54%), followed by client loss (52%), legal issues (47%), and financial losses (42%).

Some comments from the surveyed leaders indicate that while breaches may be honest mistakes, they often arise from a casual mindset. For instance, one respondent noted, “They’ve left work laptops unlocked and unattended with sensitive information on screen,” while another mentioned selfies posted on social media featuring patient information.

Gunna Kallstrom, an information systems and cybersecurity analyst mentioned in the report, suggests that the responsibility should also fall on companies to clarify what information is sensitive. “The issue is that younger employees don’t always fully understand what counts as sensitive information, because companies often fail to clearly define and contextualize it,” Kallstrom states. “If it’s explained only in broad compliance terms, it can feel abstract. Without concrete examples, such as avoiding posts with badges or travel details on social media, employees may unintentionally overshare. Thus, while younger generations may seem reckless, much of the problem stems from unclear guidance and outdated training practices.”

Key Information

• 52% of business leaders are concerned about Gen Z employee security risks.
• 19% do not trust Gen Z workers with confidential information.
• 58% have increased training due to these concerns.
• 30% are avoiding hiring Gen Z employees.
• 54% of companies affected by leaks reported reputational damage.
• Responsibility lies with companies to provide clearer guidelines on sensitive information.