IT security

One of the few certainties of life it that information technology - the defining revolution of the late 20th century - is here to stay. Since the launch of the first personal computer in the 1980s, IT has changed our lives. Few people could have predicted its impact or the reliance we would come to place on it and its wizardry. As a business tool, it is invaluable. From sharing applications on an internal network to selling products on the Internet, a secure IT infrastructure underpins successful commerce.

Business challenges
The key word here is secure, because opening our doors to solicited data activates the threat of allowing unauthorised access to our information. Indeed, 44 per cent of UK businesses suffered at least one malicious security breach during the past year; nearly twice as many as in the previous year.

With statistics like these the IT security market's future is very bright. And, whilst security has always been an issue for any business, use of the Internet has upped the stakes significantly. The need for online services and business-critical applications to be available all day long means that the financial implications of a security breach can be huge. Server downtime means lost business, lost profits and lost clients.

Security challenges
The path to achieving a secure environment begins with understanding that securing data starts with defining the security policy, and that this is likely to be a continuous process. Security can be breached by:
• internal users
• external threats
• system misconfiguration
• accidental mistakes (human error).

Security policy must be based on an understanding of what areas of business need to be protected and the impact of them being compromised. The average cost of a serious security incident is £30,000, while they can cost more than £500,000.

This is where the fun really starts - implementing systems to secure the data. There are numbers of security products; some are unique in what they offer, while others manage more than one task. From firewalls to VPN, anti-virus to intrusion detection, the features, benefits and costs of the products vary widely. This is where the advice of a reputable, independent IT security consultancy is invaluable.

Career opportunities
Those considering a career in IT security should bear in mind that, in this market, certification is key. Most companies are looking for pre-qualified staff who, on achieving specific accreditations, have proven knowledge of certain technologies.

For example, Check Point is the market leader in firewall technology, and is recognised worldwide. Its certifications carry the same brand. Individuals certified on Check Point's products are associated with the most popular network security products available and so improve their overall job prospects to the extent that, on average, a Check Point Certified Security Expert (CCSE) can expect to earn in excess of £35,000 a year.

On qualification, a CCSE is able to:
• improve network security and security for remote workers
• reduce the time to implement a firewall and VPN
• improve content security and system reliability
• reduce unscheduled system downtime
• resolve network security problems quickly
• improve tracking and identification of security breaches.

LAN 2 LAN Ltd is an authorised training centre for IT technical security training, offering a variety of courses for Check Point, BorderWare, WatchGuard, Cisco, Nokia and RSA. It is also a testing centre and has a current Check Point pass rate of nearly 100 per cent.

The company also provides consultancy on planning, installation, implementation and configuration, including remote and on-site vulnerability assessment, and regular health check services. It has an in-house security resourcing arm that matches suitable candidates with positions.

For further information on LAN 2 LAN and its services, please call 0870 787 4001 or e-mail info@lan2lan.com