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Protiviti Cybersecurity Lab Tests and Analysis Reveal Companies' IT Systems Still Vulnerable to Exploits and Digital TreacheryMENLO PARK, Calif., April 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report released today by global consulting firm Protiviti shares the most common digital threats challenging companies today. The report is based on in-depth analyses of vulnerability scans and tests of IT systems and infrastructure at over 500 organizations. The scans and tests were conducted in the firm's cybersecurity labs across the U.S. over the course of a nine-year period. For the study, Protiviti compiled, assessed and quantified the anonymous vulnerability and threat discoveries in the data, which reveals trends in vulnerabilities, exposures and security posture by industry and company size. The Protiviti study, presented in its "2018 Security Threat Report," provides a roadmap for organizations to improve their overall security posture. "Our hope is that companies will see the results of our study as a wake-up call to the potential vulnerability of their own IT systems and then proactively make the necessary changes to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the key business processes supported by IT operations, as well their sensitive data 'crown jewels,'" said Scott Laliberte, managing director and global security and privacy practice leader at Protiviti. The firm's analysis of its wealth of testing data from nearly a decade's worth of security scans reveals several key takeaways, including:
"Most of the issues we identified in our assessment can be easily rectified by taking a proactive and programmatic approach to cybersecurity," said Laliberte. "By evaluating security posture on a periodic basis and implementing changes to update IT procedures, companies can significantly lower the risks associated with potential security breaches and attacks. Unfortunately, as the threat landscape has become more perilous, it's only a matter of 'when' your organization will ge targeted, so we can't overstate the importance of implementing continuous improvement within your security program immediately." Based on the security scans and analysis, Protiviti has identified five basic security principles that organizations should implement now to reduce the risk of a breach:
"In addition to data breach preventative measures, organizations and their third-party providers must work on maturing detective controls and response procedures," said Andrew Retrum, a managing director in Protiviti's security and privacy practice. "Activities that simulate common attack patterns should be carried out to determine whether the organization's defenses can detect and respond effectively in real-world situations." Methodology Resources Available An archived Protiviti webinar exploring the security scans' key vulnerability and threat discoveries is also available for free here. About Protiviti Named to the 2018 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list, Protiviti has served more than 60 percent of Fortune 1000® and 35 percent of Fortune Global 500® companies. The firm also works with smaller, growing companies, including those looking to go public, as well as with government agencies. Protiviti is a wholly owned subsidiary of Robert Half (NYSE: RHI). Founded in 1948, Robert Half is a member of the S&P 500 index. Protiviti is not licensed or registered as a public accounting firm and does not issue opinions on financial statements or offer attestation services. Editor's Note: photos and infographic available upon request.
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