New Study Shows Unhappy Workers Steal Trade Secrets

2000-01-10 19:57

http://www.apbnews.com/newscenter/internetcrime/2000/01/04/comptheft0104_01.html New Study Shows Unhappy Workers Steal Trade Secrets Jan. 4, 2000 By David Noack NEW YORK (APBnews.com) -- The greatest security threat to companies' computer systems comes from disgruntled employees stealing confidential information and trade secrets, according to a new study on cyber-security. The survey, conducted by Michael G. Kessler & Associates Ltd., a New York-based security firm, found that 35 percent of the theft of proprietary information is perpetrated by discontented employees. Outside hackers steal secrets 28 percent of the time; other U.S. companies 18 percent; foreign corporations 11 percent and foreign governments, 8 percent. The remaining 10 percent, according to the study, are listed as miscellaneous crimes. The financial losses caused by these cyber break-ins totaled $42 million last year, which is up more than 100 percent from the 1997 figure of $20 million. 'No such thing as a hacker's holiday' "Computer crime is much more complex than bugs and viruses," said President and CEO Michael G. Kessler. "Y2K enlightened business owners to pitfalls in their systems, but there must also be heightened awareness of the growing number and variety of computer security breaches that can weaken a company's balance sheet." The survey was done over the last six months, and written questions were given to 300 of Kessler's clients and other companies. He said that disgruntled employees could be capable of taking business records, trade secrets and payroll information. "It doesn't take a new millennium for corporate computer piracy to occur," said Kessler. "There's no such thing as a hacker's holiday. Internet invasions increase with growing computer and Internet popularity. Codes can be cracked; systems will be sabotaged. Hacking is a reality, and CEOs who have turned a deaf ear to its existence will be shocked when it happens to their allegedly fail-safe network." [snip...] ISN is sponsored by Security-Focus.COM

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