30 Oct 2008

Firms 'struggling on data security'

Some businesses lack sufficient knowledge in important data management issues, which could leave them liable to a security risk, a study has suggested.

A survey by information security firm Thales has shown that about half of businesses do not know where to store data tape backup encryption keys and a further third do not know if they will be having their backup tapes encrypted in the near future.

However, businesses have been active in web server and SSL encryption, as well as desktop file, email and full disk encryption, the study showed.

But the findings showed that data tape backup security was a low priority among firms which are currently proactive in securing their data.

Thales vice president of product marketing Bryta Schulz said he was surprised at this.

"We believe this shows organisations are struggling with key management issues for data storage applications," he added.

According to the British Computer Society, rising energy prices and the issue of increasing carbon emissions mean that there is a growing need for firms to address the energy efficiency of their data management.