Data Center Security Still Not Top Priority: SANS Survey Results Revealed

BETHESDA, Md., Oct. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Data center security teams must secure their assets on legacy, cloud, and virtual systems, according to the SANS 2014 Data Center Security Survey. In it, 77% of respondent organizations are using hypervisors in their data center architectures, 27% still also include mainframe computers, and 14% still include Windows Server 2000.

"The survey highlights the large number of data center operations still relying on legacy technologies, including mainframe computers, AS/400, SCO, and Windows 2000," says senior SANS Analyst, Jake Williams, who authored the survey results paper that will be released during the associated webcast. "Organizations still using these technologies should recognize that, although they are not alone, they must take steps to manage their current needs and plan for changes in their systems."

Automation of detection and response capabilities is one step organizations can take to secure their systems, regardless of what technologies they use. Adds Williams, "The SANS Data Center Security Survey defines the need for automation, but simultaneously identifies that full automation is easier said than done."

Data center managers are focused on automating availability and load balance, with 92% reporting that they wholly or partially automated these systems. Only 65% have partially or fully automated compliance monitoring.

"Automation for uptime monitoring [availability and balance] appears relatively easy to accomplish, while automating compliance monitoring appears more difficult (based on the percentage of respondents who have done so)," continues Williams.

Full results will be shared during an October 29 webcast at 1 PM EDT, sponsored by IBM and McAfee/Intel Security, and hosted by SANS. Register to attend the complimentary webcast at www.sans.org/info/169752

Those who register for the webcast will also receive access to the published results paper developed by SANS Analyst and data center security expert, Jake Williams.

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About SANS Institute
The SANS Institute was established in 1989 as a cooperative research and education organization. SANS is the most trusted and, by far, the largest provider of training and certification to professionals at governments and commercial institutions world-wide. Renowned SANS instructors teach over 50 different courses at more than 200 live cyber security training events as well as online. GIAC, an affiliate of the SANS Institute, validates employee qualifications via 27 hands-on, technical certifications in information security. The SANS Technology Institute, a regionally accredited independent subsidiary, offers master's degrees in cyber security. SANS offers a myriad of free resources to the InfoSec community including consensus projects, research reports, and newsletters; it also operates the Internet's early warning system--the Internet Storm Center. At the heart of SANS are the many security practitioners, representing varied global organizations from corporations to universities, working together to help the entire information security community. (www.SANS.org)

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SOURCE SANS Institute

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