The number of hackers targeting businesses and organisations is growing, according to a new report published by HP. It concluded that many enterprises are failing to take onboard the severity of the risks facing their data and IT systems, leaving them much more vulnerable to attack.
The TippingPoint labs, a division of computer giant HP, wrote the report and it found that without reflecting on the inadequacies and exploitable loopholes of current security, many businesses would be unable to retain the integrity of the data for which they are responsible in the face of a sophisticated assault.
TippingPoint’s Mike Dausin, said that the only way to combat the current threats was to further analyse the usage of social networking tools and web-based programs which have access to a business’ systems. This would stop any malicious software leveraging access for third party users.
Mr Dausin went on to explain that organisations will be able to take remedial action to streamline and secure the processes of handling data and conducting business on a daily basis, but said that this will only be possible if they are willing to investigate and educate themselves about the potential for disaster.
Various industry analysts and findings from independent studies were considered by HP’s researchers in the creation of this report and most experts are in agreement, in relation to the theory that the intensity and complexity of cyber attacks are increasing at an alarming rate.
The report claims that web-based apps are weakening the security of most business systems because cybercriminals are able to write software that can easily infiltrate via a seemingly harmless online tool and then wreak havoc.
The report suggests that employees are liable to automatically trust any web-based application, consequently leading to the speedy spread of malware, as unsuspecting users make the mistake of allowing fake apps onto business systems.
TippingPoint identified that one of the major problems with the current epidemic of malware targeting businesses is that the software can sit undetected, harvesting data without being challenged and irradicated.
The good news is that the 2006 high point for cyber attacks has never been repeated, but experts are persistent in their assertions that the increasing sophistications of the hackers should concern many businesses.
