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Blogging news and current issues
Tuesday 13 October 2009, 11:12 AM
Businesses unaware of dangers of online crime
A report published by CIFAS on Monday has revealed that one in five businesses has been a victim of an internet scam.
According to the report, a recent survey of 44 UK businesses carried out by Equifax showed that there seemed to be a lack of awareness around the dangers of online crime.
Survey respondents were asked to rate different types of fraud on a scale of one to 10, from lowest to greatest risk. Online banking fraud was rated at a relatively low 4.75, whereas credit card fraud was deemed to be a greater risk and rated at 7.2 – possibly, as the report suggests, because it is a high profile type of fraud affecting both businesses and individuals.
Data contributed by the Federation of Small Businesses also pointed out that 54% of businesses had been victim to fraud or online crime in the past twelve months, 37% had had issues with phishing emails and a further 15% had experienced problems such as hacking and viruses within their IT systems.
The news comes after information gathered for National Identity Fraud Prevention Week showed that a third of employees in the UK mishandle sensitive data, and out of the workplace, 12% of those asked admitted to using the internet without having any security software in place.
The Equifax Commercial Team recommended in the report that businesses remain vigilant and regularly monitor their accounts and credit reports, and check new customers and suppliers thoroughly.
Matt Hampton, Chief Technology Officer and IT security specialist of IT solutions company, Imerja, said in a statement on Monday, "IT security shouldn't be seen as optional - putting in place an adequate strategy is far preferable to having to deal with the consequences of a breach. Indeed, in this difficult economy, a data breach may be the final straw for any size business, large or small."
According to the report, a recent survey of 44 UK businesses carried out by Equifax showed that there seemed to be a lack of awareness around the dangers of online crime.
Survey respondents were asked to rate different types of fraud on a scale of one to 10, from lowest to greatest risk. Online banking fraud was rated at a relatively low 4.75, whereas credit card fraud was deemed to be a greater risk and rated at 7.2 – possibly, as the report suggests, because it is a high profile type of fraud affecting both businesses and individuals.
Data contributed by the Federation of Small Businesses also pointed out that 54% of businesses had been victim to fraud or online crime in the past twelve months, 37% had had issues with phishing emails and a further 15% had experienced problems such as hacking and viruses within their IT systems.
The news comes after information gathered for National Identity Fraud Prevention Week showed that a third of employees in the UK mishandle sensitive data, and out of the workplace, 12% of those asked admitted to using the internet without having any security software in place.
The Equifax Commercial Team recommended in the report that businesses remain vigilant and regularly monitor their accounts and credit reports, and check new customers and suppliers thoroughly.
Matt Hampton, Chief Technology Officer and IT security specialist of IT solutions company, Imerja, said in a statement on Monday, "IT security shouldn't be seen as optional - putting in place an adequate strategy is far preferable to having to deal with the consequences of a breach. Indeed, in this difficult economy, a data breach may be the final straw for any size business, large or small."
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