IT Market Dynamics, the research arm of the IT in Canada media network, has just released a new white paper on security in the SMB market. Entitled “
Security and the Canadian SMB,” the report is based on a unique perspective: the opinions of non-IT business managers and executives from small and mid-sized organizations.
This non-IT vantage point represents uncharted territory for many IT professionals. As the white paper points out, within IT, security is generally viewed as an intrinsic consideration for all systems and activity. It isn’t possible (or at least, it’s unwise) to deploy a new application or device, move data, or add a new user to an existing system without understanding how to provide for security. These IT security precautions – and IT initiatives in related areas like backup/recovery/continuity, privacy, and reporting/compliance – are taken to protect business operations. However, security is most visible when it isn’t working – when malware corrupts a file, when a backup can’t be retrieved, when data leaks from the company into the hands of a competitor, or into the public domain.
Most organizations will never discover what happens when malware takes over a network, or when key company information is published on the web – and most business executives understand that investing appropriately in prevention is necessary. It’s often difficult for IT managers to understand, though, the extent to business management view investment in IT security as a key corporate priority – and how well they feel IT is managing security within the organization.
