Earn more, learn more, and realise your potential Mobile Technology email newsletter Get ZDNet's mobile news and reviews. The year 2000 was characterised by a series of threats to enterprise security, prompting calls for new management processes to handle the dangers. Virus writers were hard at work too. According to security software firm Network Associates, almost half of network managers think their company's progress into e-business is being hampered by rising security fears.
Network managers spend an average of five days a month on security measures alone.
New research from the US suggests that current laws do too little to deter online crime, so the responsibility for minimising risk lies increasingly with IT departments. The first step in reducing the danger is for companies to recognise the problem and for the board to support security measures. IT managers often gain board support by drawing attention to the extent of the problem and the losses that can follow security breaches. Rob Eatwell, business development manager for Network Associates' McAfee antivirus unit, said, 'The research proves that IT directors need boardroom support. To prevent attacks, it can help to understand the psychology of potential hackers.