Security In eBusiness Era Focus Of Conference

Security never is far from the thoughts of vigilant IT professionals. But even the most hardened veteran of the tech wars must be shell-shocked by the torrent of hacker attacks, viruses, worms and other threats to corporate networks and the Internet making headlines this year.

Keeping these increasingly prevalent (and malevolent) security threats from disrupting or crashing the network always has been a top priority of IT pros. Now, with more than 90% of organizations expected to be actively conducting business over the Internet within the next two years, the challenge of security your network clearly has become mission-critical.

At next week’s eSecurity Conference & Expo in Virginia, security experts from the private sector, government and academia will focus on helping attendees develop effective strategies and policies for protection in the e-business era.

“Ninety percent of respondents to the latest Computer Security Institute/FBI computer crime survey said they detected a security breach in the past year, with 80% reporting financial losses,” said Paul Desmond, conference co-chair and editor of eSecurityPlanet.com. “Our aim at eSecurity Conference & Expo is to help companies lower those numbers by learning how to protect themselves.”

Indeed, those financial losses were significant, totaling nearly a half-billion dollars among the 223 respondents quantifying their losses in the CSI/FBI survey. That comes to more than $2 million each.

In an economic climate that has forced corporate expenses to be scrutinized down to the last mousepad, $2 million in losses due to security breaches should command plenty of attention in corporate boardrooms.

As recently as February, however, a Booz Allen survey of top CEOs revealed that even in the wake of September 11, many chief executives lack an adequate understanding of what it takes to develop and implement a rigorous security strategy.

Conference organizers say many of the five tracks are geared not toward IT and network security pros, but corporate business executives, enterprise and government leaders.

One session, “Performing a Security Risk Assessment,” is designed to help attendees make a business case for adequate security funding. David O’Neill, vice president of Zurich North America Financial Services Group, will discuss how his company conducts a risk analysis, using metrics that will help session-goers build their own business case.

Another, “The Risks of Unfiltered Internet Access and Preventative Measures,” covers the issues of employee productivity, network performance, security and legal liability.

The eSecurity Conference & Expo will be held May 29-30 at Sheraton Premier at Tyson’s Corner, Vienna, Va. For more information or to register, click here.