TriGeo Predicts Top Five Security Challenges of 2010

Social Networking Threats Top the List

POST FALLS, Idaho (Dec. 9, 2009) -- Social networking sites like Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and MySpace will pose one of the biggest threats in 2010, according to TriGeo Network Security, the leading provider of security information and event management (SIEM) technology for midmarket enterprises.

"Employees tweeting and chatting online are inadvertently handing hackers the 'inside' information that they need to quickly and easily penetrate corporate networks," said Michelle Dickman, president and CEO of TriGeo Network Security. "Companies only have two options: block access to social networking sites completely, or enforce strict policies to avoid becoming the next victim of a significant data breach."

In addition to social network-related hacks in 2010, companies should expect to see:

• Fewer breaches will yield record-breaking losses.
  According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, the number of data breaches in 2009 is on track to drop by nearly 50 percent when compared with 2008. However, the impact of those breaches was far greater than ever before – with more than 220 million records exposed. This trend will continue, with more records exposed in 2010 than any year prior.
• Two more states will pass data breach laws.
  With the Obama administration clearly focused on cyber security, at least two more states will join Massachusetts and Nevada. New state-wide laws will be passed mandating that companies comply with specific data breach reporting regulations – creating new challenges for many mid-tier businesses.
• Retailers will be the #1 target for attacks in 2010.
  As the economy continues to rebound and spending increases, retailers will again be the top target for data theft. Look for at least one major retailer to fall victim to a security breach that exceeds the losses faced by TJX, and for midmarket retail attacks to double as this lucrative trend gains popularity among attackers.
• Increased vigilance from auditors.
  In 2010, the "checkbox" approach to compliance and security will no longer suffice – especially in the 'highly-targeted' midmarket. In the aftermath of Heartland Payment Systems – which exposed more than 130 million credit card records – compliance regulations will be refined and reinforced with greater specificity and steeper consequences. Auditors will demand deeper demonstration of security process, risk assessment, penetration testing, employee training and policy verification and enforcement through real-time analysis and incident response.

"Now's the time to plug the holes and prepare for stricter regulations," said Dickman. "If you think your corporate network sits safely behind layers of impenetrable defenses, you’re in for a rude awakening in the year ahead."

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About TriGeo Network Security

TriGeo Network Security delivers security information and event management (SIEM) technology that is developed specifically for the needs of the midmarket. TriGeo SIM is the only SIEM appliance that automatically identifies and responds in real-time to network attacks, suspicious behavior and policy violations. This award-winning solution combines log management, event correlation, and USB detection and prevention with powerful active response technology. TriGeo SIM is both a unique network defense technology and an "Audit-Proven" compliance solution that meets the security monitoring and log management requirements for many industry standards including NERC CIP, PCI DSS, GLBA, NCUA, FDIC, HIPAA, SOX and more.

TriGeo has hundreds of customers across key vertical markets including financial services, health care, government, utility, retail and media/entertainment. Its technology has won numerous awards including four SC Magazine awards, the 2007 Frost & Sullivan North American Technology Innovation of the Year Award, a #1 ranking in Bank Technology News' FutureNow List, and the SC Magazine Best Buy of 2006 award for Event Management.

For additional information about TriGeo and its products, services and partners, please contact TriGeo at 1 (866) 664-9292 or at www.TriGeo.com