While IT managers spent huge amounts of time and resources to thwart the threat of year 2000 problems, information security breaches in the Internet economy are an even bigger threat. It's a process that must be continually refined using audits, access-rights revisions, new tools, and changes to how data is stored. That may be why so many businesses put security on the back burner until a crisis flares up. It's time to go beyond awareness and take action. Protection from security breaches requires investment in technology, services, and personnel as well as adjustments in corporate culture.
Managers say security is high on their to-do list.
According to InformationWeek Research's Global Information Security Survey conducted in June, nearly three-quarters of 4,900 respondents regard security as a top priority, up from 56 percent two years ago. Those in banking, health care, finance, and telecommunications rate information security as the highest business priority, with retailers a little less concerned. In every sector, security is increasingly being viewed as a key business driver. Like many other IT professionals, Wright declined to discuss his specific tactics to combat cybercrime, but new efforts are under way at his company. Still, the typical company still isn't putting its money where its mouth is.