Content

IT security pros lack self worth

Information security professionals do not realise how important they are and the effect email downtime can have on business, a survey has revealed.

The survey of IT and marketing directors within UKcompanies of more than 200 employees also highlighted the effect lossof email and other IT systems can have.

"The average predicted loss was £68,000 ($125,000) and that includesrepair costs, training, new solutions and brand loss," said DavidStanley, VP EMEA at Ciphertrust which commissioned the survey. "Whatwas interesting is that the IT professionals only thought it would costthe company around £40,000 ($73,500)."

Stanley said the findings highlight both a growing reliance on emailand a need for information security professionals to be more centrallyinvolved in the business.

"They've got to work in conjunction with business. When you add itup it's a lot of money lost over the year," said Stanley. "Hopefully,this sort of research will help them get more purchasing power."

Using Department for Trade and Industry figures of 8,000 UKcompanies and an average of four such failures, Ciphertrust estimatesUK business loses £1 billion ($1.8 billion) every year.

In February SC reporteddictionary attacks, in which thousands of emails with similar names aresent to the same address, was causing hell for system managers.

www.ciphertrust.com

Get daily email updates

SC Media's daily must-read of the most current and pressing daily news

By clicking the Subscribe button below, you agree to SC Media Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.