Corporate concern about network security

Facing an ever-growing array of threats to corporate information systems, technology executives now see enhancing network security as job one, shows a survey developed by Robert Half International, Menlo Park, Calif., a provider of information technology professionals on a project and full-time basis. Thirty-five percent of chief information officers polled say improvements to network security are their highest priority. Operating-system upgrades were the second-most frequent response, cited by 16% of executives.

"Security is moving from being regarded as largely a defensive measure to one that has become an integral part of systems design," emphasizes Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half. "The increasing sophistication of threats, along with new security requirements mandated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other government regulations, means that ensuring network security now demands a proactive, enterprisewide strategy."

Lee points out that the growing importance of information security translates into increased employment opportunities for highly skilled professionals. "As this issue moves to the forefront, firms that had included security as part of the network administrator's role, in many cases, are creating new positions focused entirely on this function."