The Value of Data

One of the most common oversights with many medium- sized and small businesses is the low priority they often place upon security as it relates to their computer systems and information. 

"People are still used to thinking in terms of physical security," says Glenn Phillips, CEO of Forte Incorporated. "Companies are well prepared to appropriate expenditures for buildings and furniture, but at the same time spend very little money protecting their data. "Let's look at it this way, Phillips says, "Which is more embarrassing, having your window smashed and one of your computers stolen, or having confidential client information raided or lost?" 

One of the fortunate events that resulted from the Y2K "panic" of the past few years was that many companies took a hard look at their computer systems from top to bottom, the first comprehensive review that many companies had ever performed of the type. "A lot of security issues popped up with a lot of companies," Phillips says.

"If you don't know what specific security measures keep your confidential data safe from unauthorized access, your data probably isn't safe," says Wayne Myers, senior consultant at Forte. 

Many security breaches are going undetected, according to an international report by consulting giant KPMG. The report also found that the security policies of many organizations were inadequate and many companies' information recovery plans to be most likely untested.

The KPMG report concluded that overall security conditions had not improved and that many companies are "critically exposed." 

"Our personal experience pretty much matches up with what is being uncovered worldwide," Myers says. "Too many companies are unprotected and don't know that they're unprotected," Myers says.