Business Implications of Security on the Internet

Information technology greatly enhances the operations of a company, from increasing employee productivity to running production equipment and improving the flow of information. However, the security of business information and other assets is at risk when using the Internet.

Facts

Internet use in a company is common because many software applications use this connection to provide user access for multiple business locations. Additionally, many suppliers and vendors have websites for companies to place orders or conduct business, requiring companies to install antivirus applications or firewalls.

Features

Employee use of a company's computers can greatly increase the possibility of security issues. These individuals may visit websites that will harm the company's intranet or network, click on spam or phishing emails and visit unsecure sites that allow hackers to steal information.

Significance

Most companies today store vast amounts of information on their computers. One small action can open up the company's entire system to security issues. The loss of customer data can also be present, where hackers steal information for identity theft purposes. This can result in legal liability and financial loss for companies.

References

• Small Business Computing: Five Steps to Better Internet Security
• CA: Internet Security: eCommerce Growth Drives SMB Security Concerns