Security attacks could be "imminent"
By Deborah Bates
27/04/2011
Security attacks aimed at "utilities and infrastructure" could well be "imminent," according to several industry experts.
The recent attacks on Sony and its Playstation users has prompted the industry to take note.
Furthermore, the recent McAfee report cited on ITP.net could also be to blame. It confirmed that 40 per cent of security execs felt their systems would be hacked this year.
However up until now, professionals in the IT industry have been "sticking their heads in their sand" with regards to the imminent attacks, one anonymous insider claimed.
They added on Tech Eye: "There's already been attacks and threats to hospital infrastructure and financial institutions, while there's been numerous security warnings of cyber attacks from China on utilities and infrastructure."
"They aren't tightening their security around this, instead taking a head in the sand approach. If they don't buck up their ideas soon, attacking countries will take advantage of this and I'm afraid I'll take an 'I told you so' approach."
However in order to decrease the threat and protect the intellectual property, infrastructure and operations of companies, utilities and public sector operations, network management solutions such as anti-virus and malware software should be utilised.
Fellow sector experts have backed the idea that more attacks are yet to come; such as Professor Les Hatton from Kingston University. He argued that: "The Sony attack wasn't anything new, it just came to light as the company is high profile. It happens all the time."
"There will be more serious threats in the future as there is lots of money to be made."
