The issue of security has come to the forefront as the attack on computer systems continues to increase. In March of 2009, a group of hackers showed that sensitive customer data could be compromised without the affected company even realizing it. The Telegraph, a UK-based newspaper, was the victim of a hacking attack and did not find out until the attackers posted screen shots and other confidential information online as proof of their success. It was later reported that the Telegraph was using an outdated security system that made the hackers’ job far too easy. If a hacker is able to get a hold of credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, customer data, or other sensitive details, it won’t take long for the business to start suffering and losing customers when their audience no longer trusts them with their information. So how does one stay ahead of sophisticated web criminals, and how much will it cost you? While there is no exact figure, the cost of doing nothing is probably much more than you can afford. Do Nothing and You’ll Pay You will pay severely if you do not take measures to secure your website. A single hacking attack can ruin your life whether you run a small business or a large corporation. Deciding on what to pay for a reliable security system depends on a range of factors, but mainly on the type of business itself. For example, if you run a business in the financial sector, you would more than likely require a state of the art security system, in addition to hardened operating systems, web servers and applications. Routine penetration tests and security assessment should also be a priority. As we speak, hackers are coming up with new ways to bypass virus scanners, firewalls and network security mechanisms to penetrate websites and thieve important information that does not belong to them. It is critical to remember that implementing a security system without regular updates and assessments is equal to doing nothing at all, a painful lesson Telegraph was forced to learn. Minimizing the Risks One of the main reasons security assessment must be regularly performed is because it can help to mitigate serious risks. The applications, code, and the infrastructure itself must be reviewed on a routine basis to check for new vulnerabilities. If not, your website and the sensitive data it contains could be susceptible to SQL injection, cross-site scripting, URL manipulation and host of other exploits. When trying to determine how much you should spend on a security system, keep the following factors in mind: Regulatory compliance Industry standards History of security breaches Size of network and system Impact of potential losses in the event of a successful breach Conclusion Building an efficient security system can turn out to be very expensive. However, no business can afford to do nothing. Therefore, the cost of a security system should be estimated at a rate that gives your business the assurance that it can provide customers with the access they need while keeping the criminals out. | 
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