Are users overwhelmed by security tools?

Computer usage

When it comes to data protection, the more the better for most, but are we now being swamped with the number of security tools available to protect our data. Keeping up with security in the enterprise is an endless challenge. The hackers and thieves get more sophisticated while much of the technology inside companies changes over at a much slower pace.

While the major players in online, enterprise and network security continue unveiling new products, services and tools to combat data theft and cybercrime, it may not be enough. Not only is the security industry struggling to contend with growing levels of malware, security breaches and hacking attempts, simply managing the sheer volume of necessary PC security tools means users today feel frustrated.

This is according to Jim Bidzos, chairman of VeriSign, who spoke at the RSA Conference in America last week. He believes the industry needs to start thinking differently when it comes to internet security, internetnews.com reports.

"Consumers are overwhelmed and frustrated by all the security solutions out there," said CEO of VeriSign Jim Bidzos, who organised the first RSA Conference in 1991. "In fact some of the security tools we offer are nearing the point of negative returns."

"It's time we started thinking about security as only part of the solution and ask what users really need from us. Today users are faced with pop-ups and all sorts of security procedures designed to make them feel more secure, but may simply frustrate them and question whether the Internet is safe," he said.

He stated that part of the problem is that while security solutions reduce risk, there are so many pop-ups and procedures users have to go through to make them work that it reduces trust. He compared it to driving through a neighborhood with signs that say it's a high crime area. "You might see a lot of police cars, but you're still going to wonder if it's safe to drive through there," he said, eSecurity Planet reported.

Verisign Trust Seal

On the Internet side, Bidzos noted the introduction last month of the VeriSign Trust Seal. Participating websites will have their sites scanned on a daily basis by Verisign to make sure they are free of malware and the site will be able to display the Trust Seal meant to assure consumers the sites are safe to visit.

VeriSign protects more than one million web servers with digital certificates, protecting the majority of secure websites on the Internet, including 93 percent of the Fortune 500 sites.

The VeriSign Secured Seal is displayed by over 100,000 domains in 145 countries and viewed over 150 million times every day.

Jodie Humphries

Jodie Humphries graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA Hons in Creative Writing in 2008. She has worked for GDS Publishing for the digital group since July 2009. She has previous experience with writing for the web, running her own website since April 2007.

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