Microsoft helps makeITsecure with new tool

15-11-2005

by Deirdre McArdle

To coincide with makeITsecure week Microsoft has launched a security assessment tool that allows companies to evaluate potential security risks they may face.

The tool, Microsoft Security Assessment Tool (MSAT), is available to download for free at www.securityguidance.com. Working like a questionnaire, the tool provides users with a tailored security report based on their responses to questions about such issues as security infrastructure, security policy and security training and awareness.

On completion of the questionnaire, which will take between one and two hours, users will be able to view their results immediately. The results summary will also let companies compare their scores against the scores of others in their industry.

Users will also receive a full-length report in a HTML document that describes their "security posture", based on their answers. The report will also outline best practices, as well as offering guidance and suggestions on how companies can increase the security of both their information and their resources.

"Security is an important consideration for every business of every size," said Mike Hughes at Microsoft Ireland. "There are many elements to corporate security, from keeping IT systems up-to-date to instigating appropriate internal procedures and practices to minimise the probability of a security incident. The key is awareness. This tool helps companies to understand the various different elements in building and maintaining a secure business environment."

The tool, which is being rolled out to coincide with the makeITsecure week, is targeted at companies that employ less than 1,000 people. Though not a replacement for a security consultant, Microsoft said it has designed MSAT to provide companies with a general insight into their security gaps.

Security has risen in priority amongst Irish businesses, with a recent report from research firm iReach indicating that Irish companies will spend EUR90 million on security technologies this year alone.

The issue of security is providing Irish IT managers with many sleepless nights. According to a study by Computer Associates, some 42 percent of IT managers are being kept awake at night by the joint challenge of supporting their businesses and keeping them safe from viruses.

Some 39 percent of Irish IT managers said that virus attacks were their biggest security concern at present, while 18 percent cited unsolicited e-mails and 15 percent, the impact of new technologies on their business. Server downtime and security breaches were also mentioned as security risks causing anxiety among Irish IT managers.