Andrew Pike of Emagine (Bahamas) Limited, who has just completed random, on-line audits on a number of unprotected locally operated company sites in Nassau and Freeport says that, based on his research, the vast majority of companies are wide open to on-line theft, hackers, infected material and other cyber-style ills.
"Without the proper security features in place, any company, any Government department, any sensitive Doctor's office or confidential banking centre can be compromised," said the on-line security expert, "and e-mail is an especially vulnerable area."
Mr. Pike explained that sending an e-mail is similar to mailing a postcard in that anyone who handles it, can read, alter, copy and re-direct it or even discard it. "Anyone with basic computer tech skills can easily access anyone's e-mail and tamper with it. It's a very real problem that at last is getting the attention it needs."
Solving the problem is as easy as installing a digital certificate on a computer, says Andrew Pike. "Installing a digital ESec Certificate is inexpensive and protects incoming and outgoing mail from prying eyes while safeguarding the information stored in mail folders," he explained.
"It is so effective that The European Union is actively advising all companies throughout Europe to adopt a digital certificate policy to ensure corporate privacy. I believe that every computer in The Bahamas, networked or otherwise should also be protected with a digital certificate."
Andrew Pike feels so strongly about this that he has undertaken a letter-writing campaign to leading lawyers and bankers, alerting them to the dangers unprotected use of the Internet can bring.
"You can be liable for the disclosure of client information to third parties, even if it is accidental, if reasonable precautions have not been taken," he tells them in the letter. And to encourage them to get protection, he points out that installation of a protective digital certificate from Emagine, will also go a long way in demonstrating to clients, their genuine concern for client privacy.
"Every day more and more companies connect their corporate network to the Internet for e-mail, web browsing and extranet activities. Lawyers have long known that they can be liable if client information is leaked, as can most other institutions like doctor's offices and banks where personal information is stored."
Emagine specializes in on-line security and was the first Internet consulting firm in The Bahamas to build a dedicated e-commerce datacentre in a safe and secure environment to store data and host e-mail and web servers. Their growing reputation for successful on-line security solutions has created a demand by a cross-section of businesses, including law and financial firms, wanting to know if anyone has hacked or attempted to hack into their systems.
Mr. Pike was evasive on results but said the audits and the increased awareness of on-line hacking have led to an increase in his business.
ﾠ"Obviously lawyers, doctors and financial institutions are prime targets and therefore it is imperative that these professions are protected," said the Internet and Technology expert. "Information security is critical to a company and is often overlooked until a breach is discovered. I'm hoping to make people more security conscious so that breaches never happen. Several companies have called us in to access their company's risk level. I write a personalized security policy to ensure the security of their systems."
Emagine (Bahamas) Limited is an established, experienced and trusted e commerce data centre with staff specializing in Information Technology and Internet security and secure solutions. The datacentre provides a safe and secure environment to store data and host e-mail and web servers. They are the only issuer and installers of ESec, digital e-mail protection. More detailed information can be found at their web site, www.esecca.com.
