The group of malicious hackers eying business out there have painted a big, bold target on one group of users out there: Top level execs.

When it comes to security training, however, IT tends to focus however, on staff-level employees, leaving the C-suite out of the picture.

Why? Mostly because these are busy people who may not feel they have time for something as time-consuming and tedious as protecting company data and information.

But here’s why it could pay to include execs in the company security plan, as laid out by security consultant Jayson Street in a recent Info World article:

1. They have access to the most sensitive data, which means hackers put a lot of effort into targeting them specifically.
2. They use the latest technology. Execs are often the ones in the company that get their pick of computing devices. After all, they’re the ones with the clout and the need to stay connected 24/7. But using newer, non-standard devices also means they’re the most susceptible to hackers.
3. They expect to be protected. Execs know they’re important, so they often assume their equipment is kept more secure than other people’s.
4. They expect to be exempt from the rules – not all of them, but some. Security controls are often an inconvenience, and some execs feel they’re in place for the folks who work under them, but not for themselves.

If you’re a top level manager or executive suite dweller, make sure you check in with your IT group to be sure that you’ve got the latest in security tools for your computer and other high tech gadgets. Ask for a private lesson or join one with “the troops.” It’ll be a good team building exercise and send the message that IT security is chould be everybody’s concern.