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Security Efforts for Data In Motion Should Be Put to Rest
posted on 29/09/2003

Everybody knows that it is easier to hit a stationary target than a fast-moving target. Yet, an enormous amount of financial and development resources are being used to encrypt data in motion. Any smart hacker, can tell you that data at rest is that much easier to decode and transmit to a second location, whether the perpetrator has physical access to the data being accessed or is utilising remote network-based access tools. While nearly everybody has come to the rightful conclusion that the Internet has massively enabled hacking with regards to corporate data, the actual risks are still largely unknown and efforts to secure data seem to be targeted in the wrong places - often with complex and costly encryption schemes that serve little purpose. For example, only a few months ago, I was watching a popular technology show on cable television that explained how Ethernet traffic broadcasts all communications between two computers to all of the nearby computers on the adjoining networ... [more]

Creating Trustworthy Archives
posted on 29/09/2003

The efficient and secure storage of business records is fundamental to the insurance industry. Since its conception, organisations and individuals providing insurance services have needed to retain critical records to ensure the successful operation of their business. Today, this simple business imperative remains, but the introduction of government and industry regulations creates even greater pressure on organisations. Not only are they forced to retain specific business records but also they must be able to defend the authenticity of this information. Failure to do so can have very serious consequences in the form of fines and litigation, which can have devastating financial and political consequences. Recent, high visibility, court cases have graphically demonstrated just how damaging this can be to the wallet and reputation of an organisation. As part of the financial services industry, insurance agencies are subject to regulation by the FSA and its industry specific agenci... [more]

Trustworthy Records
posted on 22/09/2003

A great deal has been written recently about a range of archival storage technologies, but very little is being said about how these technologies should be properly integrated into a long-term data storage strategy. Many people consider archival storage as an issue confined purely to the IT department, but it reaches far beyond. Indeed, there are considerable legal and business implications to the retention of important corporate and governmental records. As a result, government agencies, industry regulators and corporations have recently introduced a flood of new regulations and guidelines controlling the storage and management of records. For example, financial institutions are now required to keep mortgage loan files for up to ten years after the loan has been repaid. Some medical records must be stored throughout the life of the patient and government institutions are now required to keep certain records for up to 50 years and some are even to be made permanent in the National ... [more]

Special Report: Road Haulage Security
posted on 17/07/2003

LORRY LOAD THEFT COST the UK road haulage industry £55m last year, but there are clear signs that haulage companies are beginning to get to grips with the problem. Hauliers and insurers have teamed up to help fund the National Stolen Lorry Load Desk. The desk, run by Essex Police, is fast becoming the first port of call for hauliers looking to report theft and share information on crime hotspots. SecurityPark looks at the desk's progress since its relaunch in January. We also look at how motorway service stations, asset marking and a new industry "bible" can all help haulage companies protect lorry loads. There's a bewildering amount of new electronic security technology on the market aimed at hauliers, including 109 Global Position Systems (GPS). Startrak Ltd, a new independent fleet management consultancy, tells us how it can help hauliers choose equipment that's right for them. Contents In i... [more]

Coping with security risks from all angles
posted on 25/06/2003

Because of our increased reliance on IT, the effects of downtime, security breaches or deliberate attacks on a company’s IT system can cause serious, sometimes irreparable, damage. The speed with which new technology is being implemented means that some companies are unaware of areas of vulnerability within their IT systems. Keith Tilley, UK managing director at SunGard Availability Services, outlined for Security Park readers the main security risks and suggests ways in which they can be addressed. External threats in the form of hackers and new viruses are well publicised in the media. Hackers operate in small, loose-knit groups, making them very hard to track down. They have the ability to hack into systems, committing industrial espionage, terrorist activities or politically motivated attacks. New viruses appear almost on a daily basis, and some of the more virile ones, such as Bugbear and Fizzer, can wreak havoc on unprotected IT systems. The consequences of such an attack... [more]

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