Internet Security Learning Center

Ninth Annual Global Security Survey: Invincible

U.S. business technology professionals' attitude toward their IT systems' resistance to viruses and other cyberthreats demonstrates misplaced confidence, according to the results of InformationWeek Research's Global Security Survey 2006. Despite many reports of intrusions and the ranking of security complexity management as a leading challenge, an overwhelming majority of American respondents believe their companies' vulnerability has not significantly increased over the past year. The likelihood of attack is rising as hackers become more profit-motivated, a trend reflected in the nearly twofold surge in the number of U.S. companies that reportedly suffered identity theft and the exposure of customer records in the past year. American companies are less likely than their European counterparts to formalize rules that govern access and storage of customer data, and just 28 percent of U.S. security policies require data encryption. Many IT managers say too much of their attention is focused on external attacks, even though internal attacks are a bigger threat to American businesses that no amount of training, security measures, or policies can prepare them for. Wireless network security and VoIP security are of growing concern to survey respondents, and Clark County, Nev., CIO Rod Massey points to the need for more effective, manageable, and easy to use security products. Accenture's Alastair MacWillson says a clear demonstration that a more secure IT environment will enable company growth makes it easier to obtain additional security funding. Meanwhile, throughout the world, new regulations are forcing companies to reform security practice.

© Copyright 2006 INFORMATION, INC.