Reliance on IT Security Services on the Rise
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Reliance on IT Security Services on the Rise
The growing volume and complexity of cyber-attacks appears finally to be pushing more organizations to rely on external IT security expertise. -
Number of Serious Cyber-attacks
Just over a third (37%) of respondents from companies of all sizes report knowing their organization was a victim of a serious cyber-attack in the last five years. For organizations that generate more than $500 million in revenue, that number is 43%. -
Probability of Serious Attack in Next 3 Years
Just under half (49%) think they will be hit by a serious cyber-attack in the next three years. Another 25% said it's very likely. Another 23% said it is unlikely. -
IT Security Posture
Just under half (48%) say they have a clear chain of command for reporting and responding to IT security incursions. Another 40% say they somewhat agree they have one. -
Reliance on Third-Party Security Expertise
Just over a third (35%) say they rely on third parties to manage all or most of their IT security operations. Another 27% say they use commercial software they manage themselves, while 17% say they have developed their own tools in-house. Another 20% say they use all three approaches. -
Greatest IT Security Vulnerabilities
Telecommunications carriers and internet service providers (ISPs) are seen as the most vulnerable (33%), followed closely by financial networks (27%). -
Highest IT Security Priorities
Just under a third (30%) ranked increasing their companies' security budgets as the highest priority. Another 25% identified clear organization policies, followed by 18% citing the need for clearer government policies. -
The Perils of Big Data and IoT
A full 80% either agree or somewhat agree that big data and the internet of things will wind up making their organizations more vulnerable to serious cyber-attacks. -
IT Security Responsibility for Critical Infrastructure
Nearly nine in 10 (88%) say their local municipality needs to be more alert to potential IT security issues, with 36% identifying CXOs of infrastructure services as being the individuals that should be held most accountable.
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Why Metrics Matter to the Channel A marked increase in the volume and complexity of IT security attacks appears finally to be pushing more organizations to rely on external IT security expertise. In a global survey of 200 IT professionals with responsibility for security, more than a third said they rely on third-party service providers to secure their IT environments. The study, conducted by The Economist Intelligence Unit on behalf of NEC, finds that while there are mixed opinions concerning how vulnerable their organizations are to major cyber-attacks, nearly three-fourths of those polled say they definitely will be a target of a serious cyber-attack or are likely to be targeted. For IT service providers across the channel, increased awareness of the challenges involving modern IT security is a double-edged sword. Although more awareness creates potential new opportunities, that increased awareness also means that the IT service provider is likely to be held most accountable in the almost inevitable event of a serious attack. Channel Insider examines key takeaways from the study.