Dimension Data to manage cyber thefts with access solution

[SunNews]

By BISI OLALEYE

Following cyber insecurity that is spreading its tentacles globally, Dimension Data, an ICT solutions and services provider, has introduced its Technology Lifecycle Management Assessment for Security.

The $5.8 billion global firm explained that the assessment helps organizations determine which devices on their corporate network require immediate attention over other devices, based on the network location and severity.

According to Dimension Data's 2012 Network Barometer Report, two-thirds of all corporate network devices analysed in 2011 were carrying at least, one known security vulnerability.

And of the known security vulnerabilities discovered, four of the top 10 most prevalent were new, three of which had a high severity rating.

Dimension Data's Group General Manager, Security Solutions, Matt Gyde, says, "These statistics should be a reminder to those in IT security to identify and apply security controls consistently across their organization, or run the risk of security breaches that can severely impact business and damage brand reputation if made public.

"In some countries, non-IT executives could even be held personally liable for security breaches. Barely a week goes by without a global headline featuring cybercrime, data theft or information leakage. In fact, data leaks and non-compliance now rank right up there with market crashes and natural disasters on a board of directors' typical priority risk list. In 2011, there were 14,215 regulatory announcements affecting businesses across all industries," he adds.

Gyde cites the Sony PlayStations Network incident–dubbed the 'data breach of all time' – where over 77 million PlayStation Network accounts were hacked.

"What's more startling is the fact that, of the 77 million accounts affected, 12 million had unencrypted credit card numbers. Not to mention the millions lost while the site was down for a month. While the hacker Cody Kretsinger was earlier this month sentenced to one year in prison, plus house arrest and a thousand hours of community work, the damage to the Sony brand was massive, and the harsh criticism of its faulty security continues,"he said.

He assured that Dimension Data could help organizations to proactively plan, design, and build security architectures based on changing business demands and their appetite for risk, adding that this will in turn provide reduced operational costs, better budget planning and a more predictable operational expenditure.

Via: Sun News Online