Sponsored by Lumension Ponemon Institute© Private & Confidential Document Page 1 2009 Security Mega...

Sponsored by LumensionPonemon Institute© Private & Confidential Document

2009 Security Mega Trends Survey

Independently conducted by Ponemon Institute LLC


Ponemon Institute LLC

The Institute is dedicated to advancing responsible information management practices that positively affect privacy and data protection in business and government.

The Institute conducts independent research, educates leaders from the private and public sectors and verifies the privacy and data protection practices of organizations.

Ponemon Institute is a full member of CASRO (Council of American Survey Research Organizations. Dr. Ponemon serves as CASRO’s chairman of Government & Public Affairs Committee of the Board.

The Institute has assembled more than 50 leading multinational corporations called the RIM Council, which focuses the development and execution of ethical principles for the collection and use of personal data about people and households.

The majority of active participants are privacy or information security leaders.


About the Study

• We asked respondents in IT operations and IT security to consider how eight Security Mega Trends affect their organizations today and during the next 12 to 24 months.

• Based on pre-survey interviews with IT experts, we selected the following eight Mega Trends: cloud computing, virtualization, mobility and mobile devices, cyber crime, outsourcing to third parties, data breaches and the risk of identity theft, peer-to-peer file sharing and Web 2.0

• We learned what survey respondents believe to be the biggest threats to a company’s sensitive and confidential data over the next 12 to 24 months.


Security Mega Trends

Mega Trend 1: Cloud computing

• Cloud computing refers to solutions owned by third-parties on data center locations outside the end-user company’s IT infrastructure. The demand for cloud computing is expanding quickly, especially as the cost of remote connectivity decreases.

Mega Trend 2: Virtualization

• Allows end-users to access multiple secure networks from a single computer, wherein the PC or laptop essentially acts as a hardware authentication token. With one computer, the end-user is able to gain access to separate virtual devices or machines. Virtualization makes server and operating system deployments more flexible and improves the use of storage and systems resources.

Mega Trend 3: Mobility

• Organizations are dependent upon a mobile workforce with access to information no matter where they work or travel. Typically, employees use the following: laptops, VPNs, PDAs, cell phones and memory sticks.



Mega Trend 4: The external threat of organized cyber criminal syndicates • Cyber crime usually describes criminal activity in which the computer or

network is an essential part of the illegal criminal activity. This term also is used to include traditional crimes in which computers or networks are used to enable the illicit activity.

Mega Trend 5: Outsourcing to third parties• Organizations outsource sensitive and confidential customer and employee

data to vendors and other third parties to reduce processing costs and improve operating efficiencies.

Mega Trend 6: Data breaches involving personal information are increasing

• The Federal Trade Commission reports that the number one consumer complaint is the theft of identity. It addition to potential fines, organizations risk the loss of customer confidence and trust.



Mega Trend 7: Peer-to-peer file sharing

• P2P file sharing networks allow a group of computers to connect with each other and directly access files from one another's hard drives. P2P file-sharing networks can cause inadvertent transfers and disclosures of documents that reside on an organization’s computers and laptops.

Mega Trend 8: Web 2.0

• Web 2.0 refers to a plethora of Internet tools that enhance information sharing and collaboration among users. These concepts have led to the evolution of web-based communities and hosted services, such as social networking sites, wikis and blogs.


And, the biggest threats are:

For the IT operations practitioner the biggest threats are:• Outsourcing sensitive data to third parties• Cyber Crime• A mobile workforce

For the IT security practitioner the biggest threats are:• Data breaches• Access to cloud computing• Outsourcing sensitive data to third parties


IT OperationsMega trend risk rating today and 12 to 24 months in the future

Bar Chart 1aMega trends today and in the next 12 to 24 months by respondents in IT operations

Each bar summarizes the combined percentage response for "Very High" and "High" security risks.

22%

25%

31%

35%

39%

44%

47%

47%

48%

50%

24%

18%

35%

36%

42%

40%

47%

49%

45%

50%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Malware

Virtualization

Web 2.0

P2P file sharing

Cloud computing

Data breach

Mobility

Cyber crime

Mobile devices

Outsourcing

Risk as perceived today Risk as perceived in the next 12 to 24 months


IT SecurityMega trend risk rating today and 12 to 24 months in the future

Bar Chart 1bMega trends today and in the next 12 to 24 months by respondents in IT security

Each bar summarizes the combined percentage response for "Very High" and "High" security risks.

29%

39%

39%

46%

48%

58%

59%

60%

65%

66%

25%

41%

41%

44%

50%

61%

59%

48%

77%

65%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

Virtualization

Malware

Web 2.0

P2P file sharing

Mobile devices

Cloud computing

Outsourcing

Mobility

Cyber crime

Data breach

Risk as perceived today Risk as perceived in the next 12 to 24 months


Two Samples

• Our study utilized two separate sampling frames (panels) built from conference, association and professional certification lists.

• Web-based survey responses were captured on a secure extranet platform.

• We utilized two separate samples of U.S. participants:

– IT operations: 825 (5.7% response)– IT security: 577 (5.0% response)

• Less than 1% rejection rate because of reliability failures.

• Respondents in both groups were asked to complete the same survey instrument.

• Margin of error is ≤ 3% on all adjective or yes/no responses for both samples

Sample description IT Operations IT Security

Total sampling frames 14,518 11,506

Bounce-back 3,957 2,109

Total returns 915 658

Rejected surveys 90 81

Final sample 825 577

Response rate 5.7% 5.0%


Mega TrendsComparison of IT Operations and IT Security Samples – Current Outlook

Line Graph 1aSecurity mega trends as perceived today for both samples

Each point reflects the percentage responses for very high or high security risks at presentt

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Cloudcomputing

Virtualization Mobility Mobile devices Cyber crime Outsourcing Data breach P2P file sharing Web 2.0 Malware

IT Operations IT Security


Mega TrendsComparison of IT Operations and IT Security Samples – Future Outlook

Line Graph 1bSecurity mega trends as perceived 12 to 24 months for both samples

Each point reflects the percentage responses for very high or high security risks at presentt

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Cloudcomputing

Virtualization Mobility Mobile devices Cyber crime Outsourcing Data breach P2P file sharing Web 2.0 Malware



Mega Trend: Outsourcing Causes Data Breach

Bar Chart 2Security risks due to outsourcing

Each bar is the percentage of respondents who selected the noted information security risk

3%

3%

10%

23%

56%

1%

2%

4%

32%

60%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Inability to properly identify and authenticate remote users

Information may not be properly backed up

Increased threat of social engineering and cyber crimes

Unauthorized parties might be able to access private fileswithout authorization

Sensitive or confidential information may not be properlyprotected



Cyber Crime Experience

Bar Chart 3Did your organization have a cyber attack?

55%

13%

32%

92%

5% 3%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Yes No Don't know



Mega Trend: Cyber Crime Will Increase

Bar Chart 4Security risks due to cyber crime


14%

24%

61%

29%

29%

40%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Attack will cause the loss ofinformation about employeesor customers, thus requiring

data breach notification

Attack will result in the loss ofsensitive or confidentialbusiness information

including trade secrets

Attack will cause businessinterruption



Most Risky Mobile Devices

Bar Chart 5Most risky mobile devices

Each bar is the percentage of respondents who selected the device as their highest risk

8%

11%

14%

19%

48%

5%

15%

24%

18%

38%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Cellular phones

USB memory sticks

Insecure wireless networks

PDAs and other handhelddevices

Laptop computers



Mega Trend: Mobile Workforce Increases Security Risk

Bar Chart 6Security risks due to a mobile workforce


3%

6%

10%

19%

59%

9%

2%

11%

16%

62%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Increased threat of social engineering and cyber crimes

Sensitive or confidential information may not be properlyprotected

Third parties might be able to access private files withoutauthorization


Inability to properly identify and authenticate remote users



Confidence in the Ability to Prevent Data Loss

Bar Chart 7 How confident are you that your current security practices are able to prevent

customer and employee data from being lost or stolen?

12%

23%

40%

12% 13%

4%

12%

30%32%

22%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

Very confident Confident Somew hat confident Not confident Uncertain



Mega Trend: Data Breach on the Rise

Bar Chart 8Security risks due to a data breach

Each bar is the percentage of respondents w ho selected the noted information security risk

17%

21%

24%

35%

5%

14%

46%

32%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

Unauthorized parties gain access to private accounts

Diminished reputation as a result of negative media coverage

Sensitive or confidential information that ends up in the hands ofcyber criminals and identity thieves

Loss of customer or employee information, thus requiring notif icationof victims



Security Risks Due to Data Breach

Bar Chart 9Security risks due to a data breach


3%

12%

13%

18%

24%

29%

0%

29%

1%

13%

40%

17%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%


Inability to protect sensitive or confidential information

Dow ntime as a result of cloud computing failure

Third parties might be able to access private f iles w ithoutauthorization

Inability to assess or verify the security of data centers in the cloud

Inability to restrict or limit use of cloud computing resources orapplications



Mega Trend: P2P File Sharing Causes Security Risk

Bar Chart 10Security risks due to P2P file sharing applications


2%

20%

30%

41%

3%

16%

20%

55%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Use of P2P w ill cause businessinterruption

Use of P2P w ill cause the loss ofinformation about employees orcustomers, thus requiring data

breach notif ication

Use of P2P w ill increase the riskof malw are or virus infection

Use of P2P w ill result in the lossof sensitive or confidential

business information includingtrade secrets



Mega Trend: Web 2.0 Use Increases Security Risk

Bar Chart 11Security risks due to Web 2.0


12%

23%

26%

34%

4%

14%

13%

64%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Use of Web 2.0 will cause business interruption

Use of Web 2.0 will increase the risk of malware or virusinfection

Use of Web 2.0 will cause the loss of information aboutemployees or customers, thus requiring data breach

notification

Use of Web 2.0 will result in the loss of sensitive orconfidential business information including trade secrets



Mega Trend: Virtualization

Bar Chart 12Security risks due to virtualization


1%

9%

10%

28%

49%

0%

3%

11%

33%

48%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Information may not beproperly backed up

Sensitive or confidentialinformation may not be

properly protected

Increased threat of socialengineering and cyber crimes

Third parties might be able toaccess private files without

authorization

Inability to properly identifyand authenticate users to

multiple systems



Recommendations

• In our study, IT operations and security practitioners ranked the mega trends they believe pose a high or very high risk to sensitive and confidential information. To address these risks, we recommend the following: – Create and enforce policies that ensure access to private data files is

restricted to authorized parties only.– Secure corporate endpoints to protect against data leakage and

malware.– Make sure third parties who have access to your sensitive and

confidential information take appropriate security precautions. – Train employees and contractors to understand their responsibility in the

protection of data assets.– Ensure that mobile devices are encrypted and that employees

understand the organizations’ policies with respect to downloading sensitive information and working remotely.

– Understand precautions that should be taken when traveling with laptops, PDAs and other data bearing devices.


Samples’ Organizational Characteristics


Samples’ CombinedIndustry Distribution

Pie Chart 1Industry distribution of the combined IT operations and IT security samples

17%

11%

9%

8%6%

6%

6%

6%

6%

5%

5%

3%2%2%2%1% Financial services

Government

Pharma & Healthcare

Education

Defense

Technology & Software

Hospitality & Leisure

Retail

Professional Services

Telecom

Manufacturing

Research

Energy

Airlines

Entertainment

Transportation


Sample CharacteristicsThe mean experience level for the IT operations sample is 8.9 years and for the IT security sample is 9.4 years.

Table 2What organizational level of respondents IT Operations IT Security

Senior Executive 1% 0%

Vice President 2% 2%

Director 21% 24%

Manager 24% 26%

Associate/Staff/Technician 45% 39%

Consultant 4% 6%

Other 2% 3%

Total 100% 100%


Table 3aGeographic location Pct%

Northeast 20%

Mid-Atlantic 19%

Midwest 19%

Southeast 13%

Southwest 14%

Pacific 17%

Total 100%

Table 3b.Organizational headcount Pct%.

Less than 500 people 2%

500 to 1,000 people 4%

1,001 to 5,000 people 12%

5,001 to 25,000 people 29%

25,001 to 75,000 people 34%

More than 75,000 people 19%

Total 100%

Sample Characteristics60% of respondents are male and 40% female.

Sponsored by Lumension Ponemon Institute© Private & Confidential Document Page 1 2009 Security Mega...

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