Sophos White Paper Sample

It used to be relatively easy to secure the corporate network. It was a physically connected entity used only by internal users. Web browsing was not generally available at the desktop, and data was transferred only by removable media or email. Today, networks as we once understood them are disappearing as the network perimeter has become blurred by the prevalence of new technologies and business practices. Instant Messaging (IM), Voice Over IP (VoIP), peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing software, and wireless and mobile devices all offer new ways of transferring data. Network access is given to remote workers, business partners and contractors.

These changes fulfil the real business need to remain competitive, but they also increase the risk of malware and other threats infecting the network via unsecured hardware and unmonitored communication channels.

Malware is now big business and large criminal gangs, with considerable IT resources, have replaced fame-seeking teenagers as the primary source. The threats they create are low-profile, silent and targeted to avoid the attention of their victims and security vendors alike. These threats do not crash computers or delete files; they steal passwords and financial information.

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