Institute Teaches Companies and Consumers How to Combat Hackers, Security Breaches and Viruses
Most Consumers Remain Wary About Cyber Security; Number of Incidents Continues To Rise
CHICAGO, April 4 /PRNewswire/ — COMDEX CHICAGO 2001 — Continuing its fight against the rising tide of cyber crime, EDS (NYSE: EDS) today launched its Cyber Security Institute (CSI) — a computer security curriculum to arm IT professionals and consumers with skills to battle hackers, security breaches and viruses.
EDS launched the CSI for internal use at COMDEX Fall 2000 in November 2000. As of today, companies and consumers can access the CSI’s interactive, on-demand, globally-available courseware. It offers a cost-effective method for training in critical security topics such as secure system administration, firewalls, network security, risk assessment, incident handling and response, threats, vulnerabilities and countermeasures.
“Hardly a day goes by without a computer virus threatening businesses and individuals, or a hacker breaking into a supposedly secure computer system,” said EDS Chairman and CEO Dick Brown, a leading authority on computer security issues. “There is a great deal to be done to assure the security and privacy of computer data, and making the EDS Cyber Security Institute available to the public is a step in that direction. Now, through e-learning, we are able to effectively make EDS’ vast store of knowledge on information assurance available to a broad audience.”
Consumers Wary about Rising Cyber Crime
Nationwide polls point to a wary public when it comes to the issue of cyber security. Two-thirds (67 percent) of Americans feel threatened by or are concerned about cyber crime, according to a June 2000 survey by EDS and the Information Technology Association of America. A survey by EDS and Harris Interactive in November 2000 found 87 percent of respondents believed the unauthorized use of personal information is their primary concern with Internet commerce.
Further, the numbers of cyber crime incidents continue to rise: — From the “2001 Computer Crime and Security Survey” conducted by the Computer Security Institute and the FBI:
— 85 percent of respondents (mostly large companies and government agencies) detected computer security breaches in the previous 12 months.
— 64 percent acknowledged financial losses due to computer breaches.
— The 168 respondents who quantified their losses reported a total loss of $377,828,700, up 42 percent over the total reported in 1999 ($265,589,940).
— From the “Virus Report for 2000” by MessageLab:
— A virus was detected every three minutes in 2000, a 10-fold increase from 1999. That’s one virus in 1,500 e-mails. The rate so far in 2001 is one virus in 400 e-mails.
— From a survey by Pilot Network Services, Inc., a network security monitoring firm:
— Suspected hackers made as many as 6,000 attempts in January 2001 to locate vulnerable domain name servers across corporate networks, compared with 2,200 such attempts in December 2000.
Coursework Available Online
To address this issue, EDS’ Web Universities and Training group has teamed with DigitalThink, a leading provider of e-learning business solutions, to host and deliver the web-based course materials of the CSI. Courseware based on the DigitalThink e-learning platform delivers a high degree of interactivity and is individually engaging. With access to the Internet, individuals or business groups can begin a course anytime and anywhere. Web-based training eliminates the expense of travel, which is often associated with specialized classes. Throughout the more technical courses that make up the institute, students will have access to online tutors and subject matter experts who can personally answer questions and clarify complex security issues.
The institute’s courseware is based on information from the Certified Information Systems Security Professionals (CISSP). Consumers can begin taking courses immediately by registering at http://www.eds.com/cybersecurityinstitute. Businesses or governmental organizations can make arrangements with the institute for group rates or customized training.
“Information security and privacy are among the top CEO agenda items today,” said John McCain, president of EDS’ E.solutions line of business. “Two of the core value propositions of EDS are protecting the information assets of its clients and innovative training techniques. The EDS Cyber Security Institute leverages our industry-leading expertise in both areas.”
EDS Leadership in Cyber Security
EDS maintains a leadership role in data protection and privacy. The company is a founding board member of the new Information Technology Information Sharing and Analysis Center (IT-ISAC). Terry Milholland, chief information officer/chief technology officer of EDS, is a board member. In addition, Brown remains one of the most visible corporate leaders on this issue; he currently serves as chairman of The Business Roundtable’s Digital Economy Task Force, which focuses on cyber security. The Business Roundtable is an association of chief executive officers committed to advocating public policies that foster vigorous economic growth and a dynamic global economy.
Further, EDS is one of only two companies in the U.S. to be fully rated against the federal government’s National Security Administration’s stringent Information Security Assessment Capability Maturity Model. The rating confirms that EDS is capable of assessing the security protection of critical information infrastructures at governmental agencies and corporations. EDS’ Global Information Assurance Services practice, which offers a complete portfolio of security services, has served as a security advisor to various Federal and Department of Defense agencies.
According to Shakil Kidwai, vice president of Global Information Assurance Services for EDS: “Security is a key enabler of the digital economy and there is a critical need for trained information assurance professionals in the market today. The Cyber Security Institute will serve this market and help businesses and consumers safely benefit from the digital economy.”
About EDS
EDS, the leading global services company, provides strategy, implementation and hosting for clients managing the business and technology complexities of the digital economy. EDS brings together the world’s best technologies to address critical client business imperatives. It helps clients eliminate boundaries, collaborate in new ways, establish their customers’ trust and continuously seek improvement. EDS, with its management consulting subsidiary, A.T. Kearney, serves the world’s leading companies and governments in 55 countries globally. EDS reported revenues of $19.2 billion in 2000. The company’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. Learn more at http://www.eds.com.