Threats to Confidential Information

Exposure of confidential information within the enterprise can lead to significant data leakage. If it involves customer-related data -- such as credit card information -- it can severely undermine customer confidence, as well as violate local laws. Sensitive corporate information, including financial details, business plans and proprietary technologies, could also be leaked from compromised computers. In the last six months of 2006, threats to confidential information made up 66% of the volume of the top 50 malicious code. This is an increase over the 48% reported in the first half of the year and the 55% reported during the second half of 2005.

Source: Internet Security Threat Report, Vol. XI