One-third of IT chiefs believe enterprise security 'lagging behind' modern IT trends
Computing research reveals a third of organisations struggling to adapt to the use of cloud and BYOD technology
Over a third of IT managers believe security in their organisation has suffered as it struggles to keep up with recent developments in IT such as cloud computing, BYOD and the rise in social media.
That's according to research by Computing, which questioned 100 senior IT professionals on their thoughts about the security implications surrounding the use of modern forms of IT infrastructure.
It discovered that 35 per cent of those surveyed believe IT security in their organisation hasn't kept pace with the latest technological developments, with 31 per cent revealing they class security to be ‘lagging a little', while four per cent told Computing it's ‘lagging badly'.
That means over a third of those surveyed recognise weaknesses in their IT security, as their organisations struggle to keep up with employees taking advantage of cloud computing technology.
Free software collaboration solutions outside the control of IT, such as DropBox or Google Drive, are increasingly being used by staff to share documents, while BYOD schemes mean more and more people are using their personal devices for work - trends that make business data leaks ever more likely.
Fortunately, when asked about plans to bring their data defences up to date, 92 per cent of those who classed their current security status as lagging suggested that it is something that's firmly on their agenda. Two-thirds of respondents told Computing that they already have a scheme to update security infrastructure in place, with plans and a budget already set out.
A further 27 per cent said that although there are plans to update security practices in response to new technologies, there's no specific scheme or budget in place.
However, some respondents admitted they have no plans to update their security infrastructure, with six per cent suggesting there are too many restrictions to enable them to do so in the short term, although they hoped they could set out a strategy for the long term.
Worryingly, two per cent said they had no plans whatsoever to update security infrastructure.
Respondents who classed their security infrastructure as lagging were asked what they believed to be the main barriers to change. When given multiple options, 82 per cent said budget was a key restriction, with IT managers continuing to feel the squeeze of being asked to do more with less.
Meanwhile, 68 per cent told Computing that a lack of senior executive understanding or support was to blame, with knowledge of cloud computing, BYOD and social media apparently lacking in the boardroom.