IT execs see rise in attacks on infrastructure

Large-scale cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure are growing, and a third of all IT execs believe the sector is unprepared to deal with them.

 

A survey of 600 IT security executives from critical infrastructure enterprises has found that 54% have already suffered large-scale attacks or infiltrations, and two-fifths expect a major security incident in their sector within the next year.

 

The study by Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) – commissioned by IT security firm McAfee – comes in the wake of heavy attacks on Google’s China operations, cited by the company as one of its prime reasons for its exit.

 

CSIS said 60% of those surveyed believed representatives of foreign governments were involved in past infrastructure infiltrations. The US was the biggest source of threat (cited by 36%) followed by China (33%).

 

More than a third of IT executives surveyed (37%) said the vulnerability of their sector had increased over the past 12 months, while 55% believed the laws in their country were inadequate in deterring potential cyber-attacks. Executives Russia, Mexico and Brazil were the most skeptical, the report said.