Ten things companies can do to prevent identity theft

THE OFFICE cleaner wanders around the IT department emptying bins into a black plastic sack. He bends below each desk to look for stray sandwich wrappers and plastic cups. While he's under the desk, it takes just a matter of seconds for him to attach a hardware key logger between keyboard and system unit.

These small key loggers are effectively invisible on the back of the computer, and record every keystroke the IT folk make for the next week. They will capture user names and passwords, as well as every e-mail and browser entry. Often this will include credit card information from Internet shopping, home address details, bank account details - in fact whatever the individual typed into the computer during that week.

Of course there are plenty of similar opportunities throughout the organisation – the CEO's secretary's PC for instance, or the finance director's...

Industrial espionage and organised crime are a real threat, but most studies show that the risk from inside an organisation is the most significant. An employee can often see far more corporate information on the head office network than anyone realises. Disgruntled employees (and ex-employees) present a very serious threat to business through access to critical data and personal information. Suppose an employee, assisted by a bit of internet research, discovers how to read everyone's e-mails or even sends mails as if they were the CEO!

Today, access to information is almost always controlled by a password. Users, even technical experts and senior staff, frequently use incredibly easy-to-guess words, such as 'password', 'holiday', or even their own name. The use of trivial passwords to secure "service accounts" - highly privileged accounts used by backup programs, network control software and anti-virus tools - is so common, that gaining control of an entire network can take no more than a few minutes.

Organisations make very dangerous assumptions about the security of data on their networks. No-one considers, or more importantly tests, who might be able to view or steal mergers and acquisitions data, business plans, payroll information or BACS payments. On a typical corporate Windows network, anyone with an administrator account can see or copy anything. Putting information on a network server is not the same as locking it in your desk drawer.

Ten things

So how can a company stop someone stealing critical information about itself, its customers and its staff? Here's ten things...

1. Policy, procedures, standards and guidelines should be written and published for all aspects of security, and kept up to date in accordance with evolving technology and workplace practices.

2. Implement thorough vetting procedures for everyone who comes through the door, including cleaners and other sub-contractors.

3. Conduct appropriate security awareness training for all staff. Make the training entertaining, relevant and never condescending – implement the human firewall.

4. A happy employee is a well-behaved employee! Treat employees and sub-contractors with respect, to minimise the chance of malicious activities which may compromise the organisation or other employees' security.

5. Don't put your trust in technologies – security products are only as good as the people who install them and maintain them. Ensure that frequent tests and audits are conducted, both by your own staff and third parties.

6. Remember that security is not an IT issue – it's a business issue. It embraces people, offices, networks and homes. Give your staff the skills and motivation to think securely.

7. Ensure that every new project plan and every third-party contract includes a risk analysis and considers security at every stage.

8. Don't try to outsource the responsibility for security – it doesn't work. Lead from the top and ensure that all senior staff visibly implement best practice security at work, at home and while travelling.

9. Test all components of your business for secure behaviour – telephone operators, help desks, home and travelling workers, network infrastructure, servers, workstations, laptops, mobile phones, etc.

10. Make security a core business process, not an afterthought or an IT problem.

First Base Technologies is exhibiting at Infosecurity Europe 2007, Europe's number one dedicated Information security event. Now in its 12th year, the show continues to provide an "unrivalled" education programme, new products & services, over 300 exhibitors and 11,600 visitors from every segment of the industry.

Held on the 24th – 26th April 2007 in the Grand Hall, Olympia, this is described by the organisers as a "must attend event for all professionals involved in information security."