Every once in a while, I get a well-meaning email from a relative or friend to warn me about a new virus that comes with an email with the subject line of XYZ or whatever. Some of the emails come with the promise that the person who sent it checked it out on Snopes, so “it’s real.” I ignore those because invariably I get an email later saying that it’s a hoax.
That particular virus may be a hoax, but the fact is that email-based attacks still keep happening. A recent report by FireEye Malware Intelligence Labs claims that in the first half of this year, computer infections have nearly quadrupled in volume in comparison to last year. These viruses have circumvented traditional security measures. Additionally, the rate of successful email based-threats have increased by 56 percent.
This is in addition to hacking and phishing!
What makes the security situation more disturbing is a 2011 survey of by the Homeland Security Department’s National Cyber Security Division reported that among 162 state, territorial and city governments found a low awareness of the full risks. This is despite the fact that the majority have adopted controls. The report was obtained by FierceGovernment IT through FOIA (Freedom of Information Act).
I realize that since the financial meltdown, municipalities have had less revenue and corporations have been reluctant to invest in newer security measures and qualified people. But that’s like not carrying insurance and running the risk of damage to your home or getting sick and possibly losing your assets. There needs to be a concerted effort to prioritize where money is most needed. There is no silver bullet to balancing the budget. Just like with your personal budget, you have to give up something in order to ensure safety.
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