Network admins losing sleep over security fears

Concerns about 'users' and 'lack of recovery plan' gained heightened status in 2006

Network administrators are getting less sleep than they used to, with many staying awake at night worrying over security breaches and the activities of their users.

In the third annual survey of network/system administrators by independent analyst firm Amplitude Research and commissioned by software developer VanDyke Software, survey takers were asked what 'keeps them up at night'.

Almost a third of respondents said they had no concerns and 'sleep like a baby', a 12 per cent drop in comfort levels compared to the previous year's 43 per cent.

The top concerns were 'users' (38 per cent), their 'recovery plan' or lack thereof (38 per cent), a security breach to their network (35 per cent), and 'worrying about the next virus/worm' (24 per cent).

In comparison with last year's figures, concerns about 'users' and 'lack of recovery plan' gained heightened status. In 2005, 28 per cent of respondents identified each of those two issues as the top concern.

The percentage of respondents who identified a 'security breach to the network' as a top concern climbed eight per cent to 35 per cent from 27 per cent in 2005.

The number of network and system administrators who listed the next virus/worm as a top concern in the 2006 survey represented a three per cent increase from the 21 per cent level registered in 2005.

"Last year I observed that many network and system administrators had neither the mandate from top management nor sufficient budgets to train employees in proper security awareness and practices," said Jeff Van Dyke, president and founder of VanDyke Software.

"Unfortunately this year's findings demonstrate that this trend continues, with less than half expressing that they have the necessary resources to tackle enterprise IT challenges.

"Based on this year's results, it's no surprise that more network and system administrators are losing sleep over security issues."

Interestingly, initial reaction to Microsoft's Vista operating system was less than enthusiastic.

The survey found that 10.98 per cent are currently in beta testing, while 19.21 per cent are waiting for a public beta release to begin testing. Some 25.49 per cent are waiting for official release to begin testing.

Around five per cent have plans to deploy Vista after successful completion of beta testing, while 20 per cent will deploy after successful completion of testing of the official release.

A significant 52.15 per cent said they have no current plans to deploy Vista.