understanding opportunity and risk

minimising future risk       creating sustainable advantage       creating opportunity

INFORMATION SECURITY October, 2009

Without a doubt the world is changing.

As technology increases, as the cost decreases, as the scale and reach of this technology increasingly inspires greater communication and a greater amount of e-information, the overall pace of change is increasing.

In many instances this is a good thing.

In some instances it can be a problem especially at the hands of unscrupulous people actively looking to exploit any loophole.The increasing extent of e-information, of at times intensely personal details, provides such a possible exploitation route for these unscupulous people. It has been said that information about every aspect of a persons life is for sale on the internet. There is every reason to suspect this is true. Can it be true that the only defence an individual has is in being anonymous in the mass of data out there for sale?

Access to this information has been made all the easier by the credit crunch. Legitimate organisations have obviously been looking for ways to reduce their costs. Outsourcing is a classic way of reducing business costs. However, with a usual lack of strategy, many organisations secretly see outsourcing as "someone else's problem" or "out of sight, out of mind". They see it as an abdication of responsibility. They think that by having a supplier or outsourcing partner sign a piece of paper they are legally in the clear. Legally - yes. Morally and ethically ... most certainly not.

Recent activities have clearly shown that although legitimate organisations take their data protection responsibilities seriously, the people they at times offload their responsibilities to (as well as their clients life history - YOUR life history and details) can sometimes be less than squeaky clean. Looking for the route of least cost sometimes leads to the route of greatest risk. In this day and age ... is this really sensible?

At the mere mention of a breach of data protection, the legitimate organisations will throw their hands up in horror (at the potential brand damage) only to insist they themselves are not to blame and that they take their responsibilities seriously. And yet, if they did take their responsibilities seriously, then how did the confidential data reach the market? Stopping it reaching the market will never be achieved by getting someone to sign a piece of paper.

To many peoples minds information security means securing against hacking and unauthorised access to databases and systems, even against accidental losses of data. While this is true, and while most legitimate organisations have invested heavily to reduce the risk of unathorised access, many still do not understand the nature of the other areas of significant risk nor of the numerous loopholes the unscupulous people will always attempt to exploit.

In todays world of increasing e-information it is a critical business necessity that every organisation ensures the security of the information in their realm of responsibility.

There are ways to do this.

Are you an organisation looking to secure your data?

Are you an outsource partner looking to give your business clients confidence in your integrity and your abilities?

If the answer is yes - contact Alt3. We will work with you to ensure that all important reduced level of risk and increased level of confidence. Consumers demand privacy. They demand protection.

Regards

JS

If you don't understand the risks, how can you prepare? Can you afford to let the issues be blurred?

The turbulent 21st century

life isn't black and white

central@alt3.co.uk