Tightening global IT regulations may actually weaken IT security, delegates at the UK's first Homeland Security conference heard this week.

New legislation in the US, and better funding for regulatory authorities in the developing world, are putting an increasing burden on business, warned Richard Hackworth, group head of IT security at HSBC.

In some cases the financial costs can be onerous and may render networks less secure by forcing companies to adapt networks to suit regulation, rather than allowing IT managers to make the final decisions.

"The traditional style of regulation in the UK is a tea and biscuits kind of affair: there's a problem, pop round and we'll sort it out together," said Hackworth.

By Iain Thomson at vnunet.

[ Read more ]