It is a fact that the world of IT contains some unscrupulous individuals who are continuously 'hacking' away at computer security systems. Many in the hope of financial gain or competitive edge, some through curiosity, and others seeking that sordid satisfaction they get from causing widespread concern and consternation while wrecking the data that organisations are built on! Some problems caused by malicious applications called viruses are merely a nuisance. However, when these viruses infect a vital computer, service outages can cost an organisation thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of pounds a minute.

In addition to the threat of unauthorised personnel accessing data, there is the ever-present threat of technology malfunctioning and for all these reasons it is crucial for an organisation to ensure that all computer information is safe from these various threats.

It is important for the IT department of an organisation to have an overall data protection strategy in place that uses various techniques to protect what in many cases is the most valuable asset, its data.

There are various techniques an organisation can apply to protect its computer information. Listed below are some examples of common data protection techniques employed by IT departments:

• Regular data backups
• Fault tolerant technology
• Anti virus policy/ procedures
• User level security provided by Network Operating Systems
• Firewalls.