Beating IT Risks

Foreword

In the old days, most of the risks with which each person had to contend were generally local and personal. As technologies pervasively continue to enter our lives, the risks are becoming universal and very far-reaching in terms of those who are affected. Computer-communication systems reach into almost every aspect of our existence, relating to the health and well-being of not only people, organizations and governments, but also of the global environment.

Our increased dependence on computers and networking is unfortunately rapidly tending to increase rather than decrease the associated risks. New applications are being created that are heavily dependent on automated systems whose trustworthiness is wholly inadequate for the given enterprise needs. Systems are becoming ever more complex without constructively being able to cope with the complexity. New vulnerabilities continue to appear faster than old vulnerabilities are being fixed. Threats from evil-doers are increasing. Furthermore, all of our critical national infrastructures are in various ways dependent on information technology – and on each other.

Risks are usually in the eye of the beholder, but are often seriously discounted or even completely ignored. Thus, much greater understanding is needed among everyone who must manage, prevent or remediate risks. Fortunately, Beating IT Risks is an extraordinary book that brings many diverse issues clearly before its readers, irrespective of their backgrounds. It is one ...