As viruses and malicious software emerge, measures to prevent information leaks during the implementation of converged IP networks have become a top concern for company operators.
According to a recent study by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) in the UK and AT&T in the US, 26% of 236 business managers from 50 countries surveyed admitted that security is their biggest concern. In contrast, only 23% viewed implementation costs as the most pressing issue, while 19% highlighted “investment in new equipment.”
62% of participants indicated that they are likely to establish an IP network within the next three years, even though 63% acknowledged that online customer data processing could negatively impact security. Furthermore, mobile devices are being used more widely within companies, creating multiple entry points for network infiltration.
According to managers, the real security risks stem from the employees within the organization. They believe that most attacks occur due to internal factors, such as intentional sabotage, economic espionage, or simply unintentional mistakes.
Other threats, such as online fraud, which involves creating sites identical to commercial websites to collect users’ names and passwords, are expected to surge in various businesses in the near future. Denial of Service (DoS) attacks are also increasingly targeting financial institutions using more sophisticated and precise methods. Businesses are becoming victims of cybercriminals who seek to profit illegally, rather than just “curious tech-savvy kids” as seen in the past.
AT&T, which currently controls about 18-20% of network traffic, has conducted a survey to identify countermeasures before security issues escalate. “Waiting until something happens to take action is always too late,” asserts Kees Vos, a director at AT&T.
T.N. (according to InfoWorld)
