Big Business Sheds Complacency Over Cyber Crime and Terrorism

Cyber threats are now firmly part of the boardroom agenda.

Threats of this nature have the potential to bring down an organisation’s network, introduce compliance issues, adversely affect bottom lines and, importantly, impact negatively on both a company’s brand and reputation.

Additionally, disparate security technologies can realise security silos, in turn increasing the cost and complexity of security management as a discipline while also making it nigh on impossible to monitor security threats across IT-centric environments in a uniform fashion.

On the macro scale, the financial proceeds of cyber crime can be used to fund acts of terrorism. To combat this particular problem, major organisations are beginning to form global crime-fighting partnerships.

Europol and Microsoft, for example, have recently enhanced co-operation between international law enforcement agencies and the private sector in combating cybercrime and helping to build a safer Internet.

In the UK, the British Bankers’ Association and the City of London Police are now looking to train finance professionals in the City such that they can help in the creation of a ‘virtual Ring of Steel’ that matches the ‘physical Ring of Steel’ set up back in the mid-1990s.

Increased connectivity: new routes for attack

As electronic devices become more connected, this presents new routes for attack and both businesses and consumers alike need to be educated on the warning signs.

On an ongoing basis, cyber criminals and terrorists are looking to use hacked information gained through the interconnectivity of devices to monitor their prospective targets.

Given that consumers and businesses are now interacting more and more via recognised social media channels, there’s also a heightened risk of such mediums being used as a potential platform for spreading terrorist propaganda. This is a very real threat and one that social media operators are reviewing on a continual basis when it comes to how they might manage security and safety.

Would-be terrorists are educating themselves on how to intercept digital communications. On that basis, it’s the duty – and imperative – of security teams to remain up-to-date on the latest technology in order to ensure they’re at least one step ahead of the cyber criminals and terrorists attempting to manipulate today’s technology for their own illegal benefit.

The IFSEC Academy at IFSEC International 2014 will welcome Dan Solomon MBA (Director of Cyber Risk and Security Services at Optimal Risk Management) who will deliver a presentation entitled ‘Cyber Security: neutralising risks and threats’. Running in the IFSEC Global.com Centre Stage Theatre, this presentation outlines how stronger collaboration between business process owners and security teams to identify and evaluate cyber risks can realise competitive advantage.

In the Smart Buildings Theatre, the subject matter for one of several key forums running across the three days of IFSEC International 2014 is ‘Information Security Management: governance, risk and compliance’.

With an ever-changing climate of technology and threats (both technical and human), the need for trained security personnel to protect information becomes increasingly critical. A sound knowledge and understanding of the wide range of subject areas that make up information security management is key-critical.

Those subject areas include risk management, technical controls, the legal frameworks, people and physical security, security standards (such as ISO 27001) and business continuity.

One of the panel members will be Andy Smith MSc CEng CSyP FSyI FBCS CITP, Chief Security Architect at AIS InfoSec and a member of the BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT).

Terrorist activity isn’t confined to cyber attacks: all elements of security must be well established and monitored to ensure effectiveness. That being so, IFSEC International 2014 plays host to a dedicated IT and Cyber Security area specifically designed to provide a range of security solutions for the industry’s major sectors.

IFSEC International will showcase effective and efficient security solutions across a wide range of product areas, including: Access Control, Integrated Security Solutions, Smart Buildings, Intruder Alarms, Perimeter Protection, Physical Security, Safe Cities and Video Surveillance.

Exhibitors showcasing their latest solutions on the show floor include: Assa Abloy, Axis Communications, Bosch, Canon, Gallagher, Milestone, Panasonic, BT Redcare, Samsung, Sony, Texecom, Y3K and many more.

Taking place from 17-19 June at ExCeL London, IFSEC International is the largest security event to showcase a range of solutions for the entire security buying chain. Visitors are able to attend the IFSEC Academy and experience the wealth of education on offer from many industry leaders and experts in chosen disciplines.

IFSEC International 2014 is part of UBM’s Protection and Management 2014. Registration for IFSEC International is now open and gives badge holders access to all the shows within Protection and Management 2014 including; FIREX International, Facilities Show, Safety & Health Expo, Energy & Environment Expo and Service Management Expo.

For entry to the 2014 event and Protection and Management 2014 please visit the website