Network managers are increasingly ignorant about internet security, according to a leading vendor. There is a real lack of skilled people in internet security. Lucent believes that it is up to systems administrators within companies to educate users. Belkhelladi argued that it can cost 30,000 to install a firewall, but that it costs much less to train employees in internet security. Users are the weakest link and hackers will always try the easiest way to get in.
Firewalls are there to enforce policies.
If a company doesn't have a policy there is only so much you can do. But Alan McDonald, network services manager at Stirling Council, disagreed. Responsible network managers keep abreast of all developments in internet security. He added that senior management might not understand the importance of internet security, but that network managers should inform them.