Hackers beat 'acts of God' as main threat to Asian firms

The stereotypical image of the computer geek hardly seems threatening - adolescent, short-sighted loners who can barely summon the strength to take their next click on the mouse.

Don't you believe it. According to security managers for regional firms, only the Biblical-type destruction wreaked by earthquakes and typhoons ranks alongside the potential devastation hackers can wield on businesses.

A survey by Pinkerton (Asia) titled 'Top Security Threats and Management Issues in Asia-Pacific' sees Internet and intranet security tied with business interruption/disaster recovery as the main menace to security managers. Pinkerton surveyed 49 regional professionals responsible for assuring the security of firms and the safety of their employees.

Responses came from a wide variety of industries (with manufacturing accounting for 39 per cent and business services 22 per cent) and locations, with Hong Kong leading the way at 21 per cent, followed by Indonesia (17 per cent), the Philippines (16 per cent), Australia (12 per cent) and United States security directors with responsibility for the Asia-Pacific (12 per cent).

According to Pinkerton (Asia) managing director Warwick Stacey, denial-of-service attacks on Internet-based firms have forced companies to realise just how vulnerable they are to a virtual ambush.

'With more and more companies looking towards hi-tech ways to boost business, there is an increasing importance placed on IT [information technology] security,' Mr Stacey said.