IT security worries 'increasing in recession'

2009-07-06

Anxieties over the dangers to business operations posed by IT security breaches have increased because of the recession, according to research.

A survey for an Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and SunGard Availability Services round table discussion has shown that two-thirds of responding organisations believe they face greater operational risks in comparison with 12 months ago.

Nearly two-fifths (39 per cent) of finance professionals questioned said they considered both internal and external security breaches, such as an IT intrusion, as well as website outages a major concern.

"There is now a real understanding across many levels of business that firms simply cannot afford any interruptions to critical business operations," said Roland Brook, associate director of Smith & Williamson, a delegate at the ICAEW and SunGard event.

Last month, a Coleman Parkes survey for Mformation recently revealed that 82 per cent of people are concerned that if their mobile phones were lost or stolen then a subsequent data breach could mean the information will be used in fraudulent activities.

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