'Is Your Security at Risk?' Network Computing Magazine Releases Results from Security Survey Conducted at PC Expo

Security has been the cause of sleepless nights for many IT Executives, but surely not for the end-users. CMP Media's, Network Computing magazine and research company Karlin Associates surveyed 726 attendees at the PC Expo conference in New York City to better ascertain this PC-savvy audience's security awareness. The poll shows a relatively relaxed attitude toward selecting and maintaining the passwords that protect business and personal accounts on the Web.

  Key findings of the security survey:
  -- Half the respondents rated themselves as "security-conscious" with
     regard to managing their personal accounts on the Web, while only 18%
     considered themselves "vigilant" about security.
  -- Almost two-thirds of respondents frequently use the same password for
     multiple accounts; it's worse among those who identified themselves as
     "security conscious"  --  almost three-quarters use the same password.
  -- The respondents are also more likely to use the "worst" method for
     selecting passwords, familiar names of people, pets and dates (47%), as
     compared to the best method, random combinations of letters and/or
     numbers and punctuation (45%).
  -- The vast majority does change passwords for its most important data on
     a regular basis.  Only 34% change passwords monthly, the recommended
     frequency.

"These results aren't completely shocking to the IT community," said Fritz Nelson, Network Computing editor-in-chief. "It's a known fact that most end-users are lackadaisical when it comes to password protection, but no one wants to admit it," Nelson added with a chuckle.

What kind of message does this send out to the IT community? "An organization may have the most impenetrable firewalls, the best encryption software available, but without secure passwords the entire system is vulnerable," stated Art Wittmann, Network Computing editor. "It is essential that every IT department stays on top of users to change passwords regularly," he continued.

To assist IT professionals in battling security issues, Network Computing is releasing a subscriber based, weekly email newsletter, Security Express™ on July 8, 1999. Security Express is a solution-centric electronic newsletter, delivered weekly and as needed (Flash Updates) in conjunction with a customizable metasite. Security Express will give IT professionals security solutions they need to effectively secure their corporate networks. You can get in on the ground floor now and have Security Express delivered to your inbox weekly. For further information visit, http://www.networkcomputing.com/express.

Network Computing, published by CMP Media, Manhasset, N.Y., is the premier technology-solutions publication providing comprehensive, enterprise-tested results to 220,000 networking brand decision-makers -- IT professionals -- biweekly. In addition, the publication consistently has the largest average- issue audience among all networking publications, according to Simmons and IntelliQuest. Network Computing received the 1997 Maggie Award for Best Computer & Telecommunications (trade) Publication, was a Finalist for the 1997 Computer Press Award for Best Online Site, and most recently, was a 1999 Neal Award Finalist.

CMP Media Inc. is the leading high-tech media company providing essential information and marketing services to the entire technology spectrum -- the builders, sellers and users of technology worldwide. With its portfolio of newspapers, magazines, custom publishing, Internet products, research, consulting and conferences, CMP is uniquely positioned to offer marketers comprehensive, integrated solutions tailored to meet their individual needs. Online editions of the company's print publications, along with products and services created exclusively for the Internet, can be found on CMPnet at http://www.cmpnet.com/. NSTL, the company's independent testing lab and consulting organization, serves government, corporate and technology vendor clients around the world.

SOURCE: CMP Media Inc.

Contact: Bjorn Ovick of CMP Media Inc., 415-538-8992, or bovick@cmp.com

Website: http://www.cmpnet.com/