http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=79587 By Frances Ovia 05.30.2007 In a bid to ensure that a lasting solution is achieved in our environment, the second monthly meeting of Information Security Group (ISG), Africa forum which was held recently with all stakeholders in the information security space in attendance has advocated that information security must be accorded top priority. In a key note address, David Isiavwe, General Manager, UBA Plc, said "If corporations want employees and shareholders to be their top priority, then information security must become their paramount concern". With the threats of terrorism and a dramatic increase in the number and complexity of other security-related risks such as computer viruses, cyber attacks, theft, extortion and fraud, he affirmed that companies must find a more comprehensive approach to protecting their employees, core networks and facilities. Isiavwe explained that as new threats emerge and business transactions become more intricate, adhering to regulations and compliance guidelines also becomes more complex and challenging. The focus on security from an enterprise perspective has led to innovative approaches that emphasize the big picture encompassing risk and strategic planning in business organizations, he said. Companies' assets are now increasingly information-based and intangible, and even most physical assets rely heavily on information. Technology is now allowing companies to offer more information products. As these products become increasingly intangible, there is a greater need for information security throughout the entire enterprise. Organizations rely on their IT systems to provide real value, increase competitive advantage and improve relationships with customers and trading partners. "The convergence of logical and physical security is a natural progression that enables businesses to better protect all of their assets and achieve significant financial efficiencies. Increasingly, information security is becoming a legal obligation. It was historically a technical job for the IT department, but it is now a far bigger legal issue with the ever increasing number of lawsuits, court decisions and focus on international legislation all of which clearly demonstrates that senior managers have a legal obligation to protect their company's information", he stressed. According to him, using static passwords and a firewall is not enough today, he added, pointing out that Cyber terrorism is a real threat as it presents a significant opportunity to destroy the economic environment of organisations and the society at large. He stated that the migration of business, government and the activities of individuals to technology-driven platforms, the technical evolution towards undisrupted availability of systems, instant access to networks and the growing risks to the global IT infrastructure make it mandatory for the infrastructure to be protected by all concerned parties. Isiavwe argued that indeed, companies that support security functions and devote more resources towards its implementation will emerge as leaders not only in their own sectors, but across all sectors. _____________________________________________________ Attend Black Hat USA, July 28-August 2 in Las Vegas, the world's premier technical event for ICT security experts. Featuring 30 hands-on training courses and 90 Briefings presentations with lots of new content and new tools. Network with 4,000 delegates from 70 nations. Visit product displays by 30 top sponsors in a relaxed setting. Rates increase on June 1 so register today. http://www.blackhat.com
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