IT Security Cut-backs – Money Tight
April 26, 2009 Computer Safety Tip
The recession is forcing smaller and mid-sized businesses to cut back on IT security, even though most companies 
expect security threats to increase, according to a survey by security software company GFI.
According to a recent survey from the Ponemon Institute, six out of ten employees stole company data after leaving their jobs, while McAfee calculated that the total economic losses from insider security breaches reached US$1 trillion last year.
A GFI spokesman said that the way the workplace was changing would throw up a new set of problems. The growing use of social media, the proliferation of smartphones and the move towards a flexible workplace with more employees on the move or working from home, all throw up obstacles.
Small businesses have been hit harder by the effects of the recession, according to the survey, 46 percent have experienced declining sales and 44 percent are expecting to cut their IT budgets.
GFI is set to take on board the smaller IT budgets, by offering some of its products for free in an attempt to pick up sales when the economy recovers.
The company is set to make its Languard vulnerability management software available for download within the next month, followed by MailEssentials, MailArchiver and WebMonitor. The company is also set to add a back-up product to its portfolio within the next quarter.
