THE global environment today is more connected and complex than before.

In the past decade, rapid advances in information and communications technology (ICT) had transformed the way businesses operate and the way we live, work and play. Increased connectivity has brought benefits for business and individuals. But it has also resulted in a surge in cyber security incidents.

A recent survey conducted by the Midmarket Group of Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions, a business segment of Arrow Electronics Inc, revealed that information security outranks reducing costs as a business issue among the majority of IT decision-makers at US mid-sized companies.

The survey, which examines the role and importance of technology in addressing business issues at mid-size companies, found that 78 per cent of respondents rate security as an important business issue, but only 32 per cent are satisfied with how their company is addressing security concerns.

I reckon that the sentiment is the same in almost other parts of the world. Information security has become a critical part of an organisation’s ICT agenda over the last few years, and a primary concern too. No company can afford to have proprietary data or valuable customer information fall into the wrong hands. Thus, significant allocation goes into building a safe and secure infrastructure.

While deploying effective and vigilant network security measures is vital, no single organisation can say that they are invincible from infosecurity threats.

More so in the Internet era, where hackers and crooked personalities lurk in cyber space, waiting to strike at the most opportune time. While previously the aim was more for fun, now money is the main motive. Nabbing these cyber criminals have also become tougher, as they use increasingly more sophisticated techniques.

In addressing this critical issue of infosecurity, no company or country, for that matter, can do it alone. Collaboration is key to combating the menace more effectively.

The launch of the International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber-Terrorism (IMPACT) last May, for example, is a good move to bring together the global community to prevent and counter cyber threats. Through such a collaboration, member countries will have access to a better network of expertise, and more sense of urgency to address the ever growing cyber threats.

A united approach certainly has a better chance of success against a formidable foe.