SAN JOSE, CA – Internet-based criminals are becoming even more sophisticated at stealing data from businesses, employees and consumers, says the 2008 edition of Cisco’s annual security report.
The report details the year’s top security threats, including botnets and malware, reputation hijacking and Web-based attacks such as spam and phishing.
"Every year we see threats evolve as criminals discover new ways to exploit people, networks and the Internet. This year’s trends underscore how important it is to look at all basic elements of security policies and technologies," said Patrick Peterson, Cisco fellow and chief security researcher.
In 2009, Cisco says that the following trends could emerge:
– ‘Insider’ threats from negligent or disgruntled employees, as a result of the global economic downturn;
– Data loss, either through carelessness, breaches by hackers, or from insiders, is a growing problem that requires new technology, more education and well-enforced data security policies;
– Mobility, remote working, and new tools as risk factors. The trend toward remote working and the related use of Web-based tools, mobile devices, virtualization, "cloud computing" and similar technologies expands networks rapidly making them more susceptible to new threats.
For more information on the report, click here.
