http://www.computerworld.com/securitytopics/security/story/0,10801,83207,00.html By Marcia J. Wilson JULY 21, 2003 Computerworld Return on security investment has become a hot topic. IT departments have traditionally been viewed as cost centers, though they have learned to provide a business-case analysis for IT initiatives. Information security departments are trying to figure out how to do the same thing. They can't sell security initiatives based on fear anymore. They have to come up with the same justifications as any other business unit, complete with the dreaded metrics, or hard financial facts. ROI is about revenue generation, cost savings or increased productivity. IT has learned to show, for instance, that upgrading the server farm or network will provide x% increased productivity by virtue of faster access of mission-critical applications and that installing a virtual private network (VPN) will provide x% increase in productivity by virtue of availability of the network to remote and mobile employees. But how can security prove ROI for preventive measures that require capital expenditures, additional manpower and a steep learning curve? Some people claim that trying to prove return on security investments is a waste of time. It's all about risk management, they say. Meanwhile, security vendors are champing at the bit to prove that ROI on security is possible and have gone to elaborate lengths to prove that their products will provide significant returns. Managed security service providers are saying, "Just let us handle your security for you, and we'll show you how you can reduce risk and cost." You know you need firewalls, VPNs, a secure network architecture, encryption, digital signatures, improved backup and restore capability, filtering, monitoring, intrusion detection/prevention and single sign-on capabilities. How are you going to justify the expenditures? [...] - ISN is currently hosted by Attrition.org To unsubscribe email majordomoat_private with 'unsubscribe isn' in the BODY of the mail.
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