Data Loss Prevention Trends To Watch In 2008

While individual attacks will still be prevalent, experts anticipate that cyber thieves will increasingly hunt for sensitive or identifying information right at its source --the databases, which offer a veritable gold mine of credit card, social security and other personally identifying information.

As a result, database protection will emerge as a significant issue for enterprises in the upcoming year. Experts say the problem could present a huge challenge to large enterprises with dozens, if not hundreds, of databases that remain unknown to most security personnel.

In 2008, both large enterprises and SMBs alike will increasingly invest in database security initiatives, which should include technologies that monitor the information and minimize the amount of data leaving their secure networks, security professionals say.

"Otherwise you run yourself ragged," said Julian. "You could kill yourself trying to secure every single one of those avenues."

Social Networking Sites and Second Tier Attacks

Following the 2007 trend, social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook will continue to be prime targets for data loss, researchers say, as they become more popular and are increasingly used on workplace PCs. Bots like the Storm Worm and other Trojans will be the tools that hackers use to lift sensitive and personal identifying information from unsuspecting users.

And while financial institutions and other large enterprises will also be targeted, security researchers project that there will be numerous waves of attacks on smaller, second-tier businesses in 2008, as larger businesses accordingly adopt security measures that adequately challenge existing threats.

"Whenever you go downmarket, you're going to see more companies," said Vergara. "We're going to see (companies with) lesser household names."

Experts say that smaller businesses make attractive targets due to the fact that they generally don't receive high-profile media attention and might not be as equipped to protect against sophisticated attacks.

"There are many retailers that just haven't figured it out yet," said Stiennon. "They will be the newsmakers because it will be extremely embarrassing."

Next: Infomation Will Be Prioritized