There have been a slew of breaches lately. From Citi to Lockheed, no company is safe. But, what exactly does this uptick in criminal activity mean for organizations hoping to shore up their defenses, and just how should they be prepared when they get hit next? What sorts of areas should they account for in not only their security/risk management plans, but also their incident response programs?

The Payment Card Industry's Data Security Standard (DSS) is known as one of the most prescriptive industry regulations in the marketplace. Yet, even with all the details provided on ways to keep critical corporate assets secure, while, at the same time, get compliant with DSS, it still proves confounding to many executive leaders. Questions around the proper technologies to implement, the best strategies to focus on or the right security measures for newer IT technologies now being adopted by many organizations still abound.

Weaknesses in the software and applications used by corporations are the prime source for hackers to breach infrastructures, steal choice critical data and turn a profit in the sale or use of it. The exploitation of vulnerabilities that crop up because of corrupted websites or malicious content isn't new, but there are various ways to confront the problems.

Security budgets are holding their own in a tough economy, but IT security personnel charged with protecting networks and company information face increasing responsibilities - from fears of having the company's brand tarnished by a data breach, compliance demands, threats from insiders anxious about losing their jobs, and a slew of other drivers.

In this webcast, we learn what defines successful CSOs in 2010 as they battle tightened budgets, a sophisticated threat landscape and continued compliance hurdles.

In this special webcast, we find out just how cybercriminals are taking advantage of unprotected virtual environments and what practical steps companies can take to protect against these.

SC Magazine is pleased to introduce a unique webcast series celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year. The free 20-minute webcasts will feature a member of the SC Magazine editorial team in conversation with various industry thought leaders discussing the past, present and future of IT security.

As we approach the end of 2008, we re-examine some of the major happenings of the year. What were some of the major breaches? Was key legislation enacted that made an impact? How are companies contending with customer demands regarding security and regulators' requirements on safeguarding critical data? What do all these happenings mean for 2009? And, more importantly, what do our readers think? We find out.