Ernst & Young warns of IT security threat

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.