Many Companies at Risk for Cyber Attacks

Source: iWon

L33tdawg: "...computer systems are increasingly vulnerable to cyber attacks, partly because companies are not implementing security measures already available..." This is precisely what I'm talking about when I say that system admins aren't being vigilent enough when it comes to patching security holes in their machines.

U.S. computer systems are increasingly vulnerable to cyber attacks, partly because companies are not implementing security measures already available, according to a report released on Tuesday.

"From an operational standpoint, cybersecurity today is far worse that what known best practices can provide," said the Computer Science and Telecommunications Board, part of the National Research Council.

"Even without any new security technologies, much better security would be possible today if technology producers, operators of critical systems, and users took appropriate steps," it said in a report released four months after the events of Sept. 11.

Experts estimate U.S. corporations spent about $12.3 billion to clean up damage from computer viruses in 2001. Some predict viruses and worms could cause even more damage in 2002.

The report said a successful cyber attack on the U.S. air traffic control system in coordination with airline hijackings like those seen on Sept. 11 could result in a "much more catastrophic disaster scenario."