Ernst & Young warns of IT security threat

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

British-based business consultant Ernst & Young advised Indonesian companies to implement plans to anticipate and handle computer viruses and worms, warning that such disturbances could seriously harm their businesses.

The consultant said many Indonesian companies used information technology (IT) and the Internet to support their businesses, but lacked appropriate planning and management to protect their systems against viruses, worms and hackers.

"Information technology, including information systems, data communication between different locations and the Internet are becoming increasingly important for many companies.

"Nevertheless, in numerous companies, including in Indonesia, the approach to the risks is inconsistent and in too many cases insufficient," Marcel Hassink, senior manager with Ernst & Young's technology security and risk services division, said over the weekend.

A recent survey by Ernst & Young of 450 chief information officers, IT directors and business executives in the Oceania region and 16 countries worldwide indicated 91 percent of regional respondents experienced some form of unexpected unavailability due to virus and worm attacks, but only 68 percent of them had business continuity plans.

Employee awareness of information security policies and procedures was cited by 59 percent of regional respondents as a barrier to achieving effective security, yet less than half of those surveyed had employee awareness and training programs in place.