Security in the spotlight

With the volume of data generated, stored and handled by companies ever increasing, the need to secure it has become crucial. Security is now a critical component of most companies' operations, as hackers seeking to breach companies' security systems are becoming more sophisticated.

Brendan Hannigan, GM of security systems at IBM, believes something has changed in the security world in the past 18 months. "When protections are built, people try to get around them. There are different security problems at present, and these security issues are of a more serious nature.

"The types of information hackers are trying to steal is also different. Before, hackers conducted random attacks, and targeted weaknesses in the security systems of companies. Now, hackers aim to hurt an entity and have a specific intent."

Hannigan believes the reason security issues have become more serious is due to the changing nature of hackers. "Hackers are using new technologies, and this, combined with an increased level of sophistication, has created a heightened level of concern and attention with regards to security within companies."

The biggest threats facing companies are advanced persistent threats (APTs), Hannigan says. "APTs are the result of hackers spending a protracted amount of time trying to infiltrate an organisation. These risks posed by APTs are no longer IT threats; they are now enterprise risks and fundamentally place a business at risk."

However, it is not all doom and gloom, as Hannigan points out. "Companies are improving their basic protections and have become better at patching vulnerabilities."

Hannigan believes technology is required to beat the hackers. "Sophisticated software is needed to combat sophisticated threats. IBM has a three-pronged approach to the problem. The problem is combatted through technology, services and leadership.

"The problem needs to be approached broadly, and capabilities need to be built within companies. Businesses require assistance moving beyond basic security and need help identifying data and managing it."

Hannigan highlighted the role security intelligence and analytics play in battling the scourge. "Analytical products help companies reduce the amount of data that needs to be looked at and helps in the determination of unusual events and behavioural anomalies."

The mobile industry represents the next big opportunity for the security sector, Hannigan says. "Mobile malware is on the increase and the development of secure mechanisms for the mobile world is ongoing. The mobile world will be more secure than the world we live in."