Increases in cybercrime, widespread worm and virus outbreaks, the specter of catastrophic cyberterrorism, and regulatory requirements in HIPAA, Gramm Leach Bliley, and other government mandates have boosted the profile of computer security. Once the province of a few long-haired firewall gurus in the server room, computer security now merits its own C-level executives and has become an agenda item at board meetings.

This attention from upper management may be a welcome change to security professionals. For one thing, it validates their hard work. For another, it gives them direct access to decision makers and check signers.

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