Security spending is a cost that’s notoriously difficult to justify in traditional cost/benefit terms: you spend a lot on security and in the best-case scenario nothing happens! But it’s important to remember that reactive security spending is usually greater than that on proactive measures, after allowing for rectification costs. It seems that companies have to suffer a significant breach of security before they take the issue seriously. Can you afford to wait?

The security threats facing business networks can be broken down in to four main categories:

1. Malware – viruses & spyware
   Some via email but primarily collected from a website.  Blocking access to malicious websites and infected downloads is therefore absolutely vital to safeguarding your organisation’s productivity.
   
   
2. Unauthorised Network Access
   Hackers breaking into your network can view, copy, alter or destroy private files.
   
   
3. Unauthorised Network Use
   Employees can misuse network resources by surfing inappropriate web sites, sending and receiving personal email, using instant messaging applications and sharing personal files over the network.
   
   
4. Active Attacks
   Typically Denial of Service attacks designed to disrupt an online services for the operating business and its users; particularly serious for e-commerce sites.
   

Fully understanding the threat landscape allows a business to plan its approach to companywide security effectively and allocate budget in the right proportions to the right places. Not having a holistic approach can in itself be a threat. What are the challenges you face and how can vendors and service providers help you to get the information you need?