Glancing back over recent editions of Understand IT, it is somewhat surprising to realise the large amount of coverage that we have given to issues of computer security. 

Some might say that the complex issues of computer and network security are a gross over-reaction; that it has proved to be just another opportunity for the development of a new sector in the IT industry.  The sceptics among us might even go so far as to suggest that much of the insecurity has come about with the collusion of the industry itself – another conspiracy theory.

What is certainly true is that many of the problems experienced are to some extent self-inflicted – both in the business and the residential sectors.

In reality, it is the very success of the Internet and computer technology in general that has attracted the attention of the fraudsters, the hackers and plain mischievous. 

User education is essential to raise the level of awareness of the seriousness of some threats.  A recent straw-poll survey in the USA (as reported by the National Cyber Security Alliance), concluded that over 30% of the respondents considered that they would be more likely to be struck by lightening, audited by the IRS or win the lottery before they would be the subject of some computer security threat.  In reality, the chances of being hit by some form of cyber threat is 70%, compared with considerably less than 1% in the case of the other events!

The trick is to balance good business practice with a common sense approach to security.  There is little point in implementing such stringent security measures that they severely hinder your company carrying out its core business.  However, in many sectors, demonstrating the implementation of stringent security is a necessity – in the banking sector for example.

We make no apologies for continually stressing the need for a pragmatic and professional approach to the implementation of security on your computing and networking environments. 

If you have any concerns at all about the implementation of any security on your individual computer(s) or your network, don’t become a statistic - please call Alan Finch on 01224 657497 as soon as possible.