Top five security predictions revealed for 2011

Frank Kenney, vice president of global strategy at Ipswitch File Transfer, warns that companies that continue to focus on quick-fix security tools, instead of strengthening and enforcing information security policies, risk devastating consequences next year. "Organisations in many industries were hit hard by data breaches in 2010 – a trend that's sure to continue in 2011," explains Kenney. "As attacks grow more sophisticated and outsmart many security tools on the market, the most savvy companies will shift their focus to policy creation, management and enforcement, to prevent both intentional and accidental data breaches," he adds. In addition, the secure managed file transfer specialist makes four more predictions: First, companies will start monitoring and managing the information flowing to and from personal email, instant messages and cloud-based services. According to an Ipswitch survey of IT executives, 40% routinely send confidential information through personal email to hide the audit trail from management. Additionally, 25% admitted to sending proprietary files to their personal email accounts, with the intent of using that information at their next place of employment. "Insiders will continue to be a major threat to businesses in 2011, and IT executives will need to implement bold, preventive measures -- and monitor employees closely," comments Kenney. Second, the largest data breach of 2011 will hit the retail sector. As the economy rebounds and consumer spending increases, this industry will become a prime target for hackers. "Look for at least one major retailer to suffer losses exceeding those of TJX, and for total breaches in the industry to nearly double," forecasts Kenney. Third, a major data breach, with more far reaching diplomatic consequences than WikiLeaks, will be the direct result of a lost smart phone or USB drive. Ipswitch suggests that 70% of IT professionals access company data through mobile devices on a weekly basis, and 41% rely on easily lost or stolen storage devices to back up business files every month. Fourth, organisations in the financial, media and health sectors will gain larger market shares by leveraging company investments in managed file transfer – specifically those that offer visibility, analysis and analytics. But according to Ipswitch, 72% of organisations lack visibility into files moving both internally and externally. "Within industries that are fighting for every percentage point, visibility, automated workflow and proactive event monitoring and management will make the difference between the winners and losers," insists Kenney.