As a short review for 2008, the main security threat we were confronting with, was the Malware, especially from compromised web sites. Users having vulnerable systems were those who had problems with their first visit on a website like this.

Regarding 2009, below I gathered a list of 9 most important IT security threats of this year so you all be aware of how things are going on.

1. Malicious Insiders - Rising Threat. Researches showed that the greatest problem for companies is employees taking private date with them when they quit their job or are fired.

2. Malware - Steady Threat. It seems that this year the development regarding the malware include viruses, worms, Trojan, but also websites that host malware is on vogue.

3. Exploited Vulnerabilities -Weakening Threat. It refers to the vulnerability of systems/applications.

4. Social Engineering - Rising Threat. This threat refers to people manipulation in order to reveal personal information as: credit card information, contact address, e-mail and much more.

5. Careless Employees- Rising Threat. These are mistakes made by a person, who can further lead to seriously security damages within a company, institution etc.

6. Reduced Budgets - Rising Threat. Considering this day’s financial crisis, many companies have reduced their budget and had decided to spend less on upgrading or improving their systems.

7. Remote Workers - Steady Threat. Even if the numbers of remote workers increases the threats related are constants.

8. Unstable Third Party Providers - Strong Rising Threat. This threat is also influenced by the financial crisis, because providers are going out of business and this could lead to a security compromise.

9. Downloaded Software including Open Source & P2P Files - Steady Threat. The installation of freeware software in order to save money might lead to data loosing.

Even if at first sign there are many concerns related to IT security this year, we don’t have to loose our faith. Improvement can be made, indifferent the company you work even with a low budget. If you have any ideas how to improve the system or you have strategies that you have applied, let us know in the comment section. Maybe someone will thank you.