Too many businesses are still failing on Data and Internet security

Posted 02/03/2011

It is widely recognised that a failure to ensure the security of a company’s IT systems, including restrictions on staff Internet access, effective data management and protection against viruses and cyber attacks, can expose them to two significant areas of risk.

First, there is the danger that they might be open to legal action due to inappropriate surfing by colleagues or breaches of the Data Protection Act. Second, there is the constant danger of damage to their business resulting from an external online attack by viruses, denial of service incidents and other Internet-born threats.

Despite this, software security firm AVG has found that more than half of all UK small firms fail to implement IT usage guidelines for staff, and one in seven have no security software in place.

As AVG spokesman Robert Corby says: “Small businesses have a fundamental understanding that Internet security threats can be a hazard to their businesses. But they obviously lack the time or the resources to adequately protect themselves from cyber criminals who may try to steal valuable company information.”

If you are not satisfied that your business has the right IT or data usage guidelines in place, or is failing to implement them, talk to one of our Commercial lawyers with specialist data protection and management expertise.