Data security awareness 'rising'

2009-11-27

Awareness of information security issues, such as data breach incidents, is now on the rise as they are getting more coverage, it has been suggested.

However, David Emms, senior security researcher, global research and analysis team at Kaspersky, said that data security does need more attention.

"The most immediate consequence of a loss of data would be embarrassment and loss of reputation for the organisation itself," he commented.

He noted that a data breach can have a "huge impact" on a firm's reputation and should mean that they will adopt measures to avoid one.

According to Mr Emms, the heightened profile of data breach incidents and organisations' loss of information will mean that the information commissioner is likely to pay more attention if a large company sees data go missing.

A recent survey commissioned by Lumension and carried out by the Ponemon Institute revealed that almost half (49 per cent) of respondents said data security is not a strategic initiative for their companies.

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