IIA seminars

The level of IT security awareness is rising in the Qatar market and is promising a change in the way organisations will operate and protect their IT assets in the near future.
“Many organisations are now taking a more holistic view of security and focusing on the overall health of their information security programs,” Rubayat M Zahir, Doha senior manager (advisory services), Ernst & Young has stated.
He was giving a presentation at a seminar hosted by the Institute of Internal Auditors in Qatar, in association with Qatar University’s Scientific Accounting Association.
Elaborating on the findings of Ernst & Young’s Global Information Security Survey of 2009, the speaker observed that a lack of adequate budget and resources continues to be a significant challenge for many organisations.
In addition, the current environment is also producing a rise in both internal and external threats.
“The survey participants reveal a growing concern with reprisals from recently separated employees as well as noting an increase in external attacks on their company websites and networks,” Zahir said.
Regulatory compliance is also top of mind for information security leaders, and the survey confirms that it continues to be an important driver of information security improvements.
Several industries and countries are moving towards more regulation, primarily related to data protection and privacy. Correspondingly, companies are reporting an increase in the cost of compliance.
The survey also highlighted that there has been an unprecedented adoption and implementation of new technologies in the Qatari market. “However, this has not been always supplemented with a robust information security program which addresses data protection and privacy issues, protection from internal and external vulnerabilities and IT security threats, inappropriate access to IT assets and lastly, improvement of training and awareness,” the speaker said.
Earlier, seminar committee chairman Girish Jain opened the meeting and IIA Qatar Chapter president Assaad Kanaan gave the introduction. Vice-president Robert Abboud proposed a vote of thanks