Forwarded From: Simon Taplin <stickerat_private> Computer crime hits a third of companies By Laura Mason SYDNEY - At least one in three Australian companies have been the targets of computer crime according to the report of a survey into computer crime released today. The survey, conducted by the Victoria Police Computer Crime Squad (VPCCS) and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, reveals that 33 per cent of Australian companies admit to experiencing an IT security breach in the past 12 months. This result does not differ significantly from a similar survey conducted last year. The real figure, according to the report, could be much greater due in part to the fact that many companies fail to report computer crime. "Due to potential bad publicity and loss of public confidence, organisations are reluctant to release information relating to their losses from computer crime" said David Caldwell), officer in charge, VPCCS. "I suspect that the real number [of computer crimes] is significantly higher," Dean Kingsley, of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, said. The survey revealed that 83 per cent of breaches were internal, committed by employees, consultants or contractors. According to the survey 75 per cent of attacks appeared to be random, opportunistic intrusions. Costs resulting from repairing systems after intrusions, and theft, had topped $100,000 for 4 per cent of respondents, and more than $10,000 for 12 per cent of respondents. Kingsley advised organisations to analyse their security and identify the most significant risks. Then, he said organisations could design technological and procedural responses to risks such as implementation of security hardware and software, implementation of security policies and standards, and provision of employee awareness training. -o- Subscribe: mail majordomoat_private with "subscribe isn". Today's ISN Sponsor: Internet Security Institute [www.isi-sec.com]
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