Network Security Is Top of Mind For Executives

Apr 6, 2007 3:04 PM

           

Network security is regarded by executives as the single most important attribute of their network, according to the results of a global survey conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) for AT&T.

The research reveals that 52 percent of executives now believe that having a converged network gives their companies better defense against IT security breaches.

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

"Network Security: Protecting Productivity," which surveyed 395 senior executives, also shows that, at the same time, network security concerns remain at the top of the list of barriers to implementing a converged IP network.

IP convergence, although it may increase vulnerability in some ways, promises to take the network defenses to new levels of sophistication and reliability, and today organizations are equipped with better tools to protect the network than they were in the late 1990s.

The EIU white paper reports that executives feel especially concerned about the growing volumes of customer data they hold and manipulate. Forty-five percent say that the holding of sensitive customer data on their network makes them feel "extremely" vulnerable from an electronic security perspective.

Another 41 percent say the process of analyzing and acting upon detailed customer data also significantly increases their vulnerability.

Among the worst security threats cited by 49 percent of executives are hackers. Protecting against viruses and worms also remains top of mind for companies. But identity theft, which is mentioned by one-third of executives, is emerging as one of the most feared threats.

The research has also highlighted the importance of the chief security officer (CSO).

While the CEO typically remains the primary decision-maker for electronic security decisions, the role of the CSO is rising, with 12 percent of companies confirming that role as the main decision-maker.

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

"Network Security: Protecting Productivity" can be downloaded from the AT&T Web site at www.corp.att.com/emea/insights/whitepaper/network_security4.html

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