Businesses are starting to take the prevention of data leaks
more seriously, an survey of IT professionals has revealed.
Ninety-three per cent of businesses are using data leakage
prevention (DLP) tools, according to interim figures from the
Launchpad
Europe IT Security Index 2009.
And 70% of businesses worldwide are planning to make investments
in DLP in the coming year.
"The survey shows that the vast majority of businesses have
taken at least some action towards preventing confidential
information being leaked," said Mike Burkitt, technical director at
business development organisation Launchpad Europe.
Of the businesses surveyed, 65% are using e-mail and web
filtering tools, 66% are encrypting hard drives, 51% audit and
monitor users, and 40% encrypt USB drives.
Only 7.5% are using biometrics for authentication, but 9.4% said
they planned to invest in biometrics-based systems in the next
year.
Encryption of hard drives and employee monitoring top the
investment priority list at 30.2%, followed by USB encryption and
web filtering at 26.4%.
The
online survey of how businesses are tackling IT security
challenges is to close on 20 November and the final results will be
published in December.