http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=25159 By INQUIRER staff 04 August 2005 ACCORDING TO AN NOP World survey, 50% of law firms in the UK are missing basic security measures and just under half have no budget dedicated to digital security, despite the recently increasing IT security threats. 100 UK law firms were included in the NOP World survey commissioned by security specialists Evolution Security Systems. According to the survey, one in ten firms had suffered digital security breaches over the past year - showing absolutely no sign of improvement with exactly the same odds the year before. Over half of the firms believe that digital threats are increasing, yet have failed to take appropriate prevention steps. The survey found that even though there is a one in ten chance of a UK law firm suffering from digital security breaches, over half of those surveyed still asked co-workers to check their e-mails, while one quarter have never changed their e-mail passwords. Perhaps more worryingly, four out of ten firms that were questioned had absolutely no idea what to do in case of a serious IT malfunction, having no disaster recovery plans, or even having thought of such things. Ritchie Jeune, chief executive of Evolution Security Systems said that it's clear UK firms understand the kind of damage malicious IT breaches or criminal activity can do to them, but are still failing to take essential security measures which could protect against the problems. "This is particularly worrying," he said, "since most law firms, driven by Lexel and other accreditations, will clearly be required to have security and disaster recovery documents policies in place over time." Firms are really going to have to tighten up their security if they want to survive, Jeunes reckons: "Client information and company reputation are in jeopardy unless security is tightened and basic security software implemented." µ _________________________________________ Attend ToorCon Sept 16-18th, 2005 Convention Center San Diego, California www.toorcon.org
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