Security is a pressing concern, expert claims

Posted by Jessie Richards

Internet security has to advance to deal with the increasing number of malware attacks, IT outsourcing users have heard.

Mark McLaughlin, chief executive of Verisign, told BBC News that hackers are using increasingly sophisticated and malicious attacks when attempting to breach security systems.

The expert also revealed that his organisation is targeted between one and two thousand times a day by cybercriminals, with attackers ranging from amateur hackers working on their own to "state-sponsored actors" attempting to identity security vulnerabilities.

"Certainly as more utilisation of the net occurs and more people go online, then the more security concerns have to go up," he told the broadcaster.

The expert pointed out that the rise of cloud computing, smartphone data access and digitalisation of health records are developments which should be matched by an increased focus on IT security.

Last week, Trend Micro senior security advisor Rik Ferguson said that popular social networks such as Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook are attractive to hackers because of the number of potential victims they are used by.