Survey show security ranked 3rd by bosses

A recent survey conducted by major accountancy and systems integration house, KPMG, has highlighted what could be a significant failing by senior company managements.  Cyber security and data protection comes in only third place on the typical Boardroom agenda.

The significance, of course, could be the belief that cyber security in the cloud is actually coming under greater control, and there is at least anecdotal evidence that this might true. However, it would certainly seem that the natural order of things in the security world is that, not matter what defences are created, the hacker community will find a new way round it.

KPMG’s annual Business Instincts Survey, a poll of 498 C-level executives from businesses across the UK, found that under-investment has left many businesses acknowledging the need to increase spend on secure technology.  Yet despite acceptance that cyber security, specifically, is critical to long-term business operations, 36 percent of the respondents said that investing in people skills had become their number one concern, with 19 percent also more focused on plant or machinery purchases.

“Every day we hear of new cyber attacks and incidents, but the knock-on effect is that Boardrooms become wary of scaremongering,” said Martin Tyley, a partner in KPMG’s cyber security practice.  “I see a real risk of boardrooms doubting the severity of the issue and the extent of their vulnerability.  Instead, by better understanding the cyber threat landscape and ensuring cyber security is weaved into everything else that is done, it’s much easier to positively manage the risk rather than reacting when things go wrong.”

According to the findings, when it comes to technology the Board is concerned about how social media is used to liaise with customers.  Executives are also worried about data analytics and whether cloud computing can make a difference to their business.  However, they remain unsure how to maximise the opportunities secure technology can offer, collectively ranking ‘the need to get the best from IT investment’ as a most important technology-driven priority.

The survey goes on to show that there is some positive news for the nation’s businesses.  According to the data, access to finance in order to fund growth was not found to be a major issue. More than one-third (39 percent) claim they do not need to borrow funds, with many having built up cash reserves during the recession and strengthening their balance sheets. 

Overall, 86 percent of businesses also expect to increase their turnover this year, with a similar proportion (81 percent) believing their profitability will also improve.

“There is an increasing optimism among UK businesses who have indicated a gradual rather than explosive approach to their investment plans this year,” Tyley said. “Many businesses are feeling that under investment in technology during the downturn has led to the problem of playing ‘catch up’ with competitors, but the solution is not as simple as splashing the cash.

“The changing nature and rising number of cyber-attacks makes this a very real and present danger.  The right approach is to remain aware of the changing cyber and technological threats facing business, training staff as they are on the front-line when it comes to security and making sure that responsibility is understood to be a firm-wide issue.”