Bangkok--Apr 30--APPR Media
IT manager poll shows opening unknown attachments presents highest security risk; filtering unauthorized enclosures at the firewall seen as the most effective method of securing against attacks
Almost half of IT managers believe that opening an unknown attachment is the most serious security offense their users can commit, according to a recent poll? of IT administrators and security consultants conducted by WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: WGRD). More than three-fourths (79 percent) of respondents also indicated that a virus has successfully penetrated their network defenses at least once in the past year.Results from a related survey? conducted by the company, a leading provider of Internet security solutions for the small- to mid-size enterprise (SME) market, indicate that only seven percent of users obey security policies to the letter while 46 percent don't even try to work securely.
"While recent high-profile virus attacks have led many organizations to take more stringent measures to educate users, these findings suggest that trying to enforce security policies only through behavior modification is a risky proposition," said Mark Stevens, chief strategy officer at WatchGuard. "The safest option is to deploy a security solution such as a WatchGuard Firebox appliance that can identify threats within the application layer and remove potentially dangerous attachments altogether. With application layer security that protects against entire classes of attacks built into the security appliance, you don't need to have a specific virus signature on file and you don't need to rely on user discretion. This is particularly important in small and mid-size enterprises. They are just as vulnerable to attacks as large enterprises, but are challenged to stay on top of the security landscape with limited resources."
WatchGuard also asked IT managers to share their strategies for preventing users from opening unknown attachments. The most common response was to filter unauthorized attachments at the firewall before they reach the user. A summary of the responses is available online at www.watchguard.com/lsspoll.
Users and Security Breaches
When asked to identify the user errors or habits representing the most severe breaches of security, 40 percent of respondents said that opening an unknown attachment is more damaging than failing to implement mandatory virus updates, installing an unauthorized wireless network or making a password easily accessible to others (each selected by 14 percent of respondents). The results indicate that administrators perceive infected attachments to be the greatest security threat to organizations, despite the fact that most organizations have anti-virus software in place.
Users and Security Policies
In a separate poll, WatchGuard asked IT managers whether their users obey company security policies. Though the findings showed that 47 percent of users mostly adhere to their organizations' policies, a large percentage - 31 percent - only do so when it suits them. A further twelve percent obey security policies only by chance and three percent ignore the rules altogether.
Survey conducted at RSA Conference, 200 respondents, February 2004. The majority (63 percent) of poll respondents were from organizations with fewer than 1,000 users.
Survey of WatchGuard LiveSecurity Service subscribers, 214 respondents, March 2004
About WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.
WatchGuard is a leading provider of network security solutions for small- to mid-sized enterprises worldwide, delivering integrated products and services that are robust as well as easy to buy, deploy and manage. The company's Firebox X line of expandable integrated security appliances is designed to be fully upgradeable as an organization grows and to deliver the industry's best combination of security, performance, intuitive interface and value. WatchGuard Intelligent Layered Security architecture protects against emerging threats effectively and efficiently and provides the flexibility to integrate additional security functionality and services offered through WatchGuard. Every WatchGuard product comes with an initial LiveSecurity Service subscription to help customers stay on top of the security landscape with vulnerability alerts, software updates, expert security instruction and superior customer care. For more information, please visit www.watchguard.com.
WatchGuard, LiveSecurity and Firebox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Contacts:
Benjamaporn Bumraprak
APPR Media Co.,Ltd
Tel: (662) 655 6633
e-mail :
[email protected] End.
-NT-