Report sees lag in corporate cybersecurity

The telecom and IT sectors were taken to task Wednesday in a new report that found in-house cybersecurity to be lacking.

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu said a survey of 150 member companies in 20 countries concluded that companies haven't been providing adequate funding and other resources for the securing of their computer networks.

"Survey respondents say that security is a top concern, but it is still not being addressed across the organization from a risk-based perspective," said Deloitte Principal Brian Geffert. "In fact, more than half of security executives surveyed admit that their security investments are falling behind the threats or at best just catching up."

Geffert said security is still primarily viewed as being based on firewalls, anti-virus ware and other server-oriented protections; however he noted that inside security concerns were growing.

The report said that the proliferation of handheld devices such as PDAs, memory sticks and MP3 recorders made it increasingly possible for employees to pinch data in the office and remove it from the premises either physically or via e-mail.

It was recommended that media companies in particular consider banning such gadgets from their property to prevent the theft of movies and other content.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International