28 frightening IT facts

July '99 Information Security

The recently released 1999 CSI/FBI Computer Crime Survey details what 521 companies from various industries and of various sizes are doing to secure their computer systems. The results highlight why security is a top concern for all kinds of businesses and what every business needs to pay attention to.

In summary the survey found that:

• 61 percent of the organisations surveyed have experienced losses due to unauthorised computer use

• 32 percent of the organisations surveyed are now using digital IDs

• The average loss from theft of proprietary information is over $1.2M

• The average loss from data or network sabotage is over $1.1M

• 50 percent of all organisations reported insider abuse of net access

• 94 percent of organisations now have Web sites,

Here’s a closer look at some of the survey questions and results:

What types of security technology do you use?

• Access control 89%

• Encrypted files 59%

• Reusable passwords 59%

• Firewalls 88%

• Encrypted log-in sessions 44%

• PCMCIA smart-cards, one-time tokens 37%

• Intrusion detection 40%

• Digital Ids, certificates 32%

What is the most likely source of an attack?

• Independent hacker 74%

• U.S. Competitor 53%

• Disgruntled employee 86%

Which of the following types of electronic attack or misuse has caused your organisation financial loss?

• Theft of proprietary information 12%

• Sabotage of data or networks 9%

• System penetration by an outsider 10%

• Insider abuse of net access 35%

• Unauthorised access to info by insider 16%

Does your company have a Web site?

• Yes 94%

Does your organisation provide electronic commerce services via a Web site?

• Yes 29%

Has your Web site been accessed without authorisation or misused with in the last 12 months?

• Yes 18%

• No 44%

• Don’t Know 30%

For details contact Nanoteq on tel: (012) 665-1338, fax: (012) 665-1343 or e-mail: [email protected].





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