Keeping secrets is a part of business. From Coca-Cola's classified formula to the latest car designs from any automaker, being able to bring something to market before the competition is crucial. As more companies rely on digital storage, however, they need to make sure that they are doing everything possible to keep data safe from hackers and malicious malware.
Unfortunately, even for more advanced IT security systems—such as the one at the Pentagon—that process is easier said than done. According to a report from the Washington Post, Chinese hackers were able to gain access to a number of files that contained designs for sensitive advanced weapons systems.
"The Department of Defense has growing concerns about the global threat to economic and national security from persistent cyber-intrusions aimed at the theft of intellectual property, trade secrets and commercial data, which threatens the competitive edge of U.S. businesses like those in the Defense Industrial Base," a Pentagon spokesman said in the piece.
More than two dozen different projects were breached, including U.S. missile defenses and combat aircraft and ships. While there has not been a formal accusation against the Chinese government, experts believe that this is part of a growing Chinese campaign of espionage against U.S. defense contractors and government agencies. The Obama administration has even warned the Chinese about "rampant cybertheft."
While most companies do not have information as important as government defense secrets to keep safe, they do have data that is important to them, their clients and their partners. Every IT Principal needs to be aware of the security dangers that lurk just outside their defenses. Because of this, businesses need to have the right resources and impactful talent in place to combat the latest security challenges facing the IT channel.
