Spyware Poses Biggest Security ChallengeSpyware Poses Biggest Security Challenge

Spyware poses the greatest security threat to organizations, while worms, viruses, and browser risks have decreased, according to recent estimates.

The Computing Technology Industry Association announced Tuesday that 55% of organizations responding to a recent survey said the amount of spyware they combat has grown over the past year. In the survey of 1,070 organizations, 54% of respondents cited lack of user awareness as a major security challenge.

Forty-nine percent of respondents cited viruses and worms, while 44.2% cited authorized user abuse as a security challenge. Nearly 42% of respondents said browser-based attacks represent a security challenge, according to the study conducted by TNA, a global market insight and information group.

When organizations were asked to identify the types of security attacks they expect to face in three years, viruses and worms topped their list (at 20% and 14%). Nine percent identified wireless access and another 9% identified e-mail attachments as threats. Only 5% said phishing, social engineering, and identity theft would be threats, while another 5% identified remote access as a danger. "Spyware was rarely mentioned as a concern just a few years ago," John Venator, president and CEO of CompTIA, said in a statement. "It's another example of how information security threats are moving targets that can pose great challenges to even the most security-conscious organization."

Venator said that organizations plan to increase spending across all areas related to security.

"Nearly one-half indicate they intend to increase spending on security-related technologies, and another one-third expects to increase spending on security training," he said.