UK companies are putting themselves at risk of cyber attack
by cutting IT budgets in the recession, say researchers.
More than half of retailers have
cut their IT security budgets as a direct result of the credit
crunch, a survey earlier this year by Deloitte revealed.
The survey showed that more than a third will cut security spend
next year, despite most being victims of cyber attacks.
The number of cyber attacks targeting UK businesses has shot up
in recent months, according to research for security firm RSA.
RSA's anti-fraud command centre in Tel Aviv, Israel is tracking
more than 100 active attacks on companies around the world,
according to
Sky News.
The UK is second only to the US in the number of businesses and
organisations targeted by cybercriminals, accounting for 20% of
world attacks in the past month.
Despite the increase in attacks, RSA has found that a growing
number of companies are reducing or freezing investments in IT
security.
Smaller and medium-sized business may be most at risk as they
come under increasing financial pressure, said RSA.
Security experts warn that businesses cutting back on their
technological security are playing a dangerous game.