back to article Cisco: Businesses are losing the ground war against hackers

Only half (54 per cent) of businesses are confident in their ability to verify and defend against an attack, according to a study by networking giant Cisco. Cisco's latest Annual Security Report concluded that this lack of confidence is mostly down to hackers becoming more nimble, resilient and persistent while businesses are …

  1. Will Godfrey Silver badge
    WTF?

    O realy?

    Is Cisco really the company best placed to 'advise' others?

    1. Sven Coenye
      FAIL

      Re: O realy?

      http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/01/20/cisco_patches_borked_web_box_proxy_hole/

      'nuf said...

    2. allthecoolshortnamesweretaken

      Re: O realy?

      I wouldn't say they are the best placed - but they do have a lot of experience with bugs'n'vulns...

    3. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: O realy?

      So does this mean that Cisco is going to start updating the firmware on their SB routers (e.g. RV215W) more than once every year or two? Seems Cisco poor support for the kit they peddle is part of the problem, especially kit used by small third party vendors.

  2. Nate Amsden

    i bet

    at least 75% of that 54% number don't know any better so just say "yes we're ready".

    1. Captain DaFt

      Re: i bet

      I took it as: "54% of businesses overconfident in their ability to handle hackers, only 46% have realistic expectations."

  3. Anonymous Coward
    Pint

    None of this surprises me...

    But that doesn't mean I don't need a drink after reading it.

    1. a_yank_lurker

      Re: None of this surprises me...

      @Marketing Hack - Its not really a surprise since most companies have essentially a passive defense. They react to attacks instead of trying to anticipate them. Target and Home Depot are likely classic passive defense. Neither appeared to be proactive about protecting their systems from attacks from third parties. If the attacks are anticipated before they occur you are more likely to be looking for them and are more likely to spot them relatively early.

      Have drink for me

  4. Mikel

    Your software is garbage

    There is no excuse for the quality of software today. Proper methods are understood.

    1. Roo
      Windows

      Re: Your software is garbage

      "There is no excuse for the quality of software today. Proper methods are understood."

      The problem isn't just the abysmal software, folks need to pay attention to using it correctly as well. :)

  5. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Because Cisco and other big security companies keep peddling the myth that you can defend your business at the perimeter and the network level.

    1. Wim Ton

      Perimeter defense

      Perimeter defense is still necessary, but don't count on it alone.

  6. MrGutts

    Cisco marketing

    Cisco marketing group trying to sell newish security services and be the champions of justice!! They are wasting money buying up security companies only to turn around to sell said services but know NOTHING about the product they are selling. Plus they don't even have there own house in order with many security issues each month.

  7. allthecoolshortnamesweretaken

    Hey, I have a great idea - let's just make all new software secure, without bugs and foolprof to use! Problem solved!

  8. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Biggest hole are the employees

    Locking them down even more is the way of the future, sadly.

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