DETROIT – Asks a banner ad on the SANS web site (www.sans.org) for a leading provider of enterprise information consolidation tools for monitoring security systems in real time: Prime Time for Real Time is the title of an article in the latest issue of Intelligent Enterprise talking about how business success is defined more and more by the amount of time that can be squeezed out of business processes by the use of online technology. Finally, Ode to the Fearless is proclaimed in bold letters across the top of another advertisement for security products in a recent Information Week ? suggesting that the true power of a company?s information is unleashed only when it is readily available, not safely locked away.
Business leaders can relate to the statements above, but more importantly, security managers need to relate as well. They do not produce a feeling of warm comfort in a security manager?s mind ? they cause the adrenaline soaked pores of the skin to close, the nostrils to flare, and the complete fight-or-flight battle readiness instinct to take control. But this is not a good way to prepare to discuss strategic business directives with upper management – this is the double-edged sword that must be wielded in today?s technology battlefield ? awareness of the danger and awareness of the opportunity.
Looking at the environment around us each day, more and more business is being conducted online, more control is being handed over to consumers and customers online, the web is a place where you can not only learn lots of stuff, but get lots of stuff done, and done more efficiently than any other way previously available. A year ago you could get things done online, but often the phone was faster. Not anymore. The speed of business on the web continues to accelerate, and the speed of security must keep pace.
But it?s not.
Even big business can?t keep up, as the rash of headlines spotlighting the epidemic of identity thefts waged against major financial firms and retailers continues to explode. And for small business, the news gets worse. The digital divide that separates poorer citizens from the Internet exists in the business world as well. Enterprise business is leading the charge in many aspects of implementing technology along with the management of security for that technology. Small business today is dividing into segments that are defined by technological capabilities. Small companies that use technology and online business concepts to enhance their business processes are able to compete with their larger brethren and have taken on new powers in this new age economy. Those companies that have not been able to effectively harness technology are rapidly losing the race for relevance in the business world.
Security is multiplying this factor, as the level of sophistication necessary to operate in the online world is growing exponentially to effectively manage the threats from identity thefts, viruses, worms and application attacks. As a percentage of total revenue, enterprise corporations can afford to spend a percentage on technology, and a percentage of that percentage on damage control ? security. Small business does not have the ability to shoulder similar costs, as the percentages are huge to the revenue they generate. The complexity is also huge, which requires more unaffordable expenditure in highly trained resources to adapt technology to achieve specific goals.
Yet the promise of technological opportunity still overshadows all the dangers. The successes of the Progressive Insurances, the Jet Blues, the Northwest Airlines, UPS?s and others that are redefining their businesses online, continue to capture the business worlds? imaginations and their customers? dollars.
But what of small business? Many online security providers are working valiantly to address the needs of this small business space, and while several solutions have entered the marketplace, a silver bullet has not been found. As the pace of change continues to accelerate, can we hope for a solution for small business? Or are they doomed to see their own version of the digital divide increase?
Hans Erickson is CIO for the Detroit Regional Chamber and a member of Michigan InfraGard. [email protected].
