Gartner Says 60 Percent of Security Breach Incident Costs Incurred by Businesses Will Be Financially or Politically Motivated

By 2005, 60 percent of security breach incident costs incurred by businesses will be financially or politically motivated, according to Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT and ITB). Most of these financial losses will be the work of insiders working alone or in conspiracy with outsiders. “Security managers and CIOs are well aware of the threat posed by insiders, but often find it easier technically and politically to take action against external threats instead,” said Victor S. Wheatman, managing vice president for Gartner. “Businesses must take steps to secure themselves against criminally intent insiders or resign themselves to suffering significant losses from insider crimes.” Key modern business practices such as collaboration and knowledge management demand intensive information sharing, even across businesses. This open access often results in unauthorized use of computers and networks. “There is a delicate balance between limiting insider access to information and crippling the ability to create revenue,” said Richard Hunter, vice president for Gartner. “Generally, this conflict between security and commerce is resolved in favor of creating revenue and therefore facilitating insider crime.” Full Story