The number of cybercrimes and hacker attacks, and the cost attributed to such intrusions, declined for the fourth straight year, according to data released by the Computer Security Institute (CSI). The CSI attributed the fall-off to increased attention to security by businesses and government agencies.

"Our survey respondents appear to be getting real results from their focus on information security," said Chris Keating, CSI's director, in a statement.

In its ninth annual Computer Crime and Security Survey--which it conducts in conjunction with San Francisco's division of the FBI--the association noted that the downward trend, which started in 2001, resulted in the lowest percentage since 1999 of those polled who reported unauthorized use of their computer systems.

At Security Pipeline.

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