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Rough Year For Security
John Stith
Staff Writer
2006-01-05
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The year that just ended was phenomenal year for computer security and by that I mean phenomenally bad. Reports are surfacing of the final damages for the year and it ain't pretty folks. Cybercrime was nasty at all levels and perhaps none more than identity fraud.
A recent USA Today report reported more than 130 major intrusions exposed more than 55 million Americans to identity fraud and encompasses the spectrum of personal data including credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, names, addresses, phone numbers and a host of other important information.
CNN quoted figures that while cyber crime has outstripped illegal drug sales in profits, hitting $105 billion in 2004; the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cut the research budget for cybersecurity by 7% to a measly $16 million.
Consider the amount of identity fraud that goes on. SecurityProNews (SPN) reported some weeks ago on drug crime tied to identity fraud issues. It's no secret military computers got hacked. Every week, some new hacking issue happens because MegaBank A lost some tapes and Mega Bank B put all the stuff on some PDAs and they were stolen. No wonder terrorists have money.
They run a few good phishing scams and swipe some bank tapes from your favorite shipper and they've been funded for the next year. And the DHS only puts $16 million toward the cause? Cybercrime had $105 billion over a year ago. Think about what they've done in 2005.
The DHS certainly has a lot of fish to cook between physical threats and natural disasters and everything else but they must do better regarding cybercrime. They may see it as minor but, if done right and well, it could easily nip a lot of things in the bud before they ever get started. And who knows where might lead…they might catch someone important.
About the Author:
John is a staff writer for SecurityProNews covering cyber security.
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