IT directors put network security first

Business executives regard security as the single most important attribute of their network, according to the results of a new global survey.

Research conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit for AT&T revealed that a majority of executives (52 per cent) believe that having a converged IP network gives better protection against IT security breaches.

Furthermore, nearly 70 per cent feel that IP helps ensure business continuity following an emergency.

The survey of 395 senior executives also showed that network security concerns remain at the top of the list of barriers to implementing a converged IP network.

Executives feel especially concerned about the growing volumes of customer data they hold and manipulate.

Nearly 45 per cent said that holding sensitive customer data on their network makes them feel 'extremely' vulnerable from an electronic security perspective.

Another 41 per cent said that the process of analysing and acting on detailed customer data significantly increases their vulnerability.

Among the worst security threats cited by nearly half of executives is hacking, followed by viruses and worms.

But emerging as one of the most feared threats is identity theft, mentioned by one-third of executives, and these concerns are set to rise over the next three years.

The research also highlighted the importance of the chief security officer. Although the chief executive typically remains the primary decision maker for electronic security, the role of the chief security officer is rising.

Some 12 per cent of companies confirming the chief security officer as the main decision maker.

"Security is becoming more and more important in today's collaborative environment," said Lloyd Salvage, AT&T's vice president in the UK.

"We are constantly talking to our customers and helping them to re-evaluate their requirements to ensure that their businesses are adequately protected at all times."

See also:

Nine in 10 UK business websites 'insecure'

NTA's Annual Web Application Security Report 2007 makes grim reading  21 Mar 2007

Lack of Mac malware baffles experts

Exploit authors continue to ignore OS X  21 Mar 2007

Chinese hackers wake up to malware

Criminal switch from copycats into malware authors  16 Mar 2007

Most data centre thefts are inside jobs

Beware the enemy within  14 Mar 2007

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