JEDDAH, 29 January 2008 — Internet users exceed one billion worldwide today and their number is expected to double in the next five to 10 years. With the increase in the number, organizations and individuals are exposed to new kinds of security threats.
It is against this background that security solutions are in focus — solutions that protect against the expanding range of threats to business operations, personal information and property.
Where is the threat coming from, how quickly is the user informed of the threat and how well are his systems protected. These were among the questions that came to the fore at a seminar on the latest security solutions hosted by Saudi Paramount Computer Systems and Trend Micro at Le Meridien Hotel yesterday.
“With the increasing use of the Internet and constant introduction of latest technology, there is always a minimum risk you have to accept in terms of security,” Abdulrahman Al-Rayes, chairman of Saudi Paramount Computer Systems, said.
To keep pace, the public needs security solutions that protect against the expanding range of threats — the viruses, spam, phishing, pharming, spyware, rootkits and other emerging types of malicious code designed to compromise business operations, personal information and property.
Information security is the ongoing process of exercising due care and due diligence to protect information and information systems, from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, destruction, modification or disruption. “The never-ending process of information security involves ongoing training, assessment, protection, monitoring and detection, incident response and repair, documentation and review. And we in Saudi Arabia offer a holistic approach to information security offerings through our innovative divisions,” said Al-Rayes whose company has its corporate office in Riyadh and branch offices in Jeddah and Alkhobar. These divisions are dedicated to vulnerability and risk management, security solutions and support, and technology and product portfolio.
In fact, with revenues of more than $105 billion, cyber crime generates more revenue than the illegal drug trade, according to the US Treasury. “If Internet users don’t feel that their confidential information and transactions are secure, all electronic communication and commerce may be undermined, with devastating effects to the economy,” an expert said and suggested that businesses and consumers alike must take every possible precaution to secure their systems and data to stem the erosion of trust in the Internet.
Harsh Arun Raval, head of sales and marketing at Saudi Paramount Computer Systems, gave a presentation on the emerging technology landscape and Arshad Sheikh, channel account manager of Trend Micro, Saudi Arabia, spoke on security threat landscape.
The Tokyo-based Trend Micro Incorporated, which provides threat management software, hardware and services with its more than 30 countries, boasts an enterprise protection strategy that combines multiple layers of products and services to deliver intelligent, comprehensive protection against known and unknown threats.