IT security campaign gets underway
11-02-2008
by Emmet Ryan

The Government has launched its makeITsecure campaign, just days after a report showed that IT security threats are on the increase in Ireland.

The campaign, which aims to raise awareness of IT security amongst Irish internet users, was launched by Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan on Monday just days after a Microsoft study found malware attacks increased 44 percent in the first six months of 2007.

MakeITsecure is being run as a public-private consortium, with many leading firms in the IT and communications world working with the Government to spread awareness about IT security issues. "There is an increasing awareness amongst Irish people about these problems but this needs to grow more," Tony Hanway, customer director with O2 told ENN.

The aim of this year's campaign is to specifically address and educate people about issues that they face online on a day-to-day basis such as phishing, spyware, identity theft and security issues when social networking.

Minister Ryan said findings in an iReach study, which reported that almost a third of internet users have experienced some form of online threat, and predicts that phishing attacks will reach an all time high in 2008, should have people on their guard when they go online.

"It is important that these kinds of statistics don't deter people from using computers or surfing the internet as these are now invaluable tools for business, leisure, education and communication. The aim of the makeITsecure campaign is to ensure that all ICT users are encouraged to continue to use the technology, but to ensure that when doing so, they are taking the precautions to protect themselves especially when online," said Minister Ryan.

The campaign's focus, at least in part, on social networking comes as Deloitte announced findings of a study on filtering internet content for children. The report had mixed results; around half of the filtering products available improved over the past year, but nearly 40 percent have deteriorated and now offer less protection.

Despite the failings of some of the technical products designed to improve IT security, there is evidence that internet users themselves are playing a more productive role in evading potential threats.

"A welcome finding [of the iReach study] is that 8 of 10 adults have given advice or rules to their children in relation to online security threats and 68 percent are monitoring their children's online activity. This is up by 5 percent since we carried out research for the 2005 campaign," said Dr Rachel O'Connell, safety officer with social networking site Bebo.

Dr O'Connell will be one of the speakers participating in a series of seminars and local meetings being held around the country to inform internet users about how to go online safely.

In addition, a booklet with IT security information and advice will be distributed to over 900,000 users in the country by newspaper insert, and dedicated IT security supplements will also appear north and south of the border. Video tutorials will be streamed from the makeITsecure.org website and a DVD giving advice on the issues addressed by the campaign will also be available to download and in hard copy.

The launch of the campaign comes on the eve of Safer Internet Day, a global drive to promote safer internet usage for all users. The makeITsecure campaign runs until 22 February.