Symantec's Internet security expert presents industry-leading report at UOIT

OSHAWA, ON - Calling 2010 the year of the targeted attack, Marc Fossi, the author and executive editor of Symantec's Internet Security Threat Report (ISTR) Volume 16, outlined key report findings during a presentation at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) today (to view the lecture, please click here).

"With more than 286 million new threats last year, cyber criminals are quickly taking advantage of new methods of attack, such as through social media networks and mobile devices, to steal confidential information and identities," said Mr. Fossi. "As individuals continue to explore new ways of communicating and sharing data, it's becoming increasingly important for organizations to ensure critical information is properly protected from targeted threats."

Invited to speak at UOIT's Faculty of Business and Information Technology and the Management Development Centre, Mr. Fossi provided a detailed analysis of the Internet threat activity seen over a 12-month period. The presentation covered the highly-profiled Stuxnet worm, the first worm targeting industrial software and critical infrastructures. Symantec has been following the development of the Stuxnet worm since it was first uncovered in July 2010. The lecture also highlighted other Internet threats that gained momentum in 2010, including attack toolkits, malicious code, spam and phishing attacks affecting the public and private sector, as well as the end-user.

"We are very pleased to welcome Marc Fossi to UOIT," said Dr. Pamela Ritchie, Dean, Faculty of Business and Information Technology, UOIT. "Our established relationship with Symantec provides ongoing opportunities for our students and faculty to interact with a global leader in the security industry, ensuring we stay at the cutting edge in terms of awareness of new threats and protective measures being implemented in the market. This ensures our students are at the forefront of the technology when they graduate and that our research is consistently addressing the needs of the industry and consumers."

Symantec's annual Internet Security Threat Report is derived from data collected by tens of millions of Internet sensors, first-hand research and active monitoring of hacker communications, and provides a global view of the state of Internet Security. The study period for the Internet Security Threat Report Volume 16 spans from January 2010 to December 2010. See list below to access related ISTR materials, or visit the Online Press Kit.

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