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Cybercrime is estimated to be a $105 billion market and looks set to grow in 2008 as the complexity of cybercrimes intensifies. Some of the cyber issues that should concern your organization are discussed in the articles below. We hope you will find them interesting and helpful.

Organizations need to take more seriously the threats of cyber-attacks. (Item #1) Symantec offers a white paper that provides excellent information on cyber terrorism. (Item #2) Here's some info on how businesses can realize the benefits of virtualization without risking downtime due to hardware and application failures. (Item #3)

The development of illegal malware has reached the point where it is almost as sophisticated as the traditional software-development and sales channel. (Item #4) How can you defend yourself against cyber espionage? (Item #5) Is your organization taking steps to protect personal information? (Item #6)

As always, we look forward to hearing about your concerns with regards to business continuity. If you have a topic you'd like to see covered, please email me at bmellinger@attainium.net

Best Regards,

Bob Mellinger
President
Attainium Corp

Quote of the Week

"Over the years, the criminal elements, the ones who are making money,
making millions out of all this online crime, are just getting stronger and stronger.
I don't think we are really winning this war."
- Mikko Hypponen -

Articles

1. Cyber-Attacks and Cyber-Disasters: Are You Prepared?
In 2007, a denial-of-service attack was launched every 53 minutes. Earlier this year, the loss of an undersea cable resulted to the loss of Internet service for entire regions. Businesses that rely to any measure on the Web must secure their businesses against the possibility of large-scale cyber-attacks and disasters.
http://www.technewsworld.com/rsstory/62725.html?welcome=1209750797

2. Cyberterrorism?
Computers can play an enormous role in terrorism. At the same time they can provide perhaps our biggest defense against terrorism if used to our advantage. However, just like as we need to understand the integration of computers with terrorism, we must examine how computers can assist in defense broadly.
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/reference/cyberterrorism.pdf

3. Virtual Servers; Real Problems
The problems of virtualization can be reduced by careful planning of the virtual environment and choosing the right virtualization technology for the task. If you're unsure about the value and viability of this newest buzzword, take a look at this white paper.
http://www.continuitycentral.com/virtualserversrealproblems.pdf

4. Cracking Open the Cybercrime Economy
It is difficult to establish exactly how organized the malware economy is but, according to McAfee Avert Labs, it's relatively straightforward to buy not only the modules to build malware, but also the support services that go with it.
http://www.news.com/Cracking-open-the-cybercrime-economy/2100-7349_3-6222896.html

5. Cyber Espionage: A Growing Threat to Business
Cyber espionage is getting renewed attention as fresh evidence emerges of online break-ins at U.S. research labs and targeted phishing against corporations and government agencies here and abroad. It's no wonder that research firm SANS Institute has ranked cyber espionage No. 3 on its "Top Ten Cyber Menaces for 2008," just behind Web site attacks exploiting browser vulnerabilities and botnets such as the infamous Storm.
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/141474/cyber_espionage_a_growing_threat_to_business.html

6. Protecting Personal Information: A Guide for Business
Safeguarding sensitive data in your files and on your computers is just plain good business. After all, if that information falls into the wrong hands, it can lead to fraud or identity theft. This interactive tutorial from the FTC has lots of tips to guide you in how to protect the personal information you collect.
http://www.ftc.gov/infosecurity/