Raytheon|Websense Survey Reveals Executives Lack Confidence in Security Posture

PRESS RELEASE

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 19, 2015 -- A new survey of security executives at large companies in the U.S., commissioned by Raytheon|Websense, reveals that confidence in their enterprise security posture is lacking. According to the 100 security executives who participated, less than one-third (31 percent) are confident in their security posture, and only slightly more than a quarter (28 percent) feel that their communications on security metrics and posture to senior management is effective.

The survey revealed that the overwhelming majority of executives (65 percent) are only "Somewhat Confident," in their company's security posture. In the past year, nearly nine in 10 organizations have had at least one breach and one in five had three to five breaches that resulted in a loss or compromise of data. We know threats are going to get in so if we want to be more confident, we need to shift our thinking to qualitative metrics such as dwell time which is the elapsed time from initial breach to containment," said Ed Hammersla, president of Raytheon|Websense. "Reducing the time a threat is in your network reduces damage and helps strengthen your overall security posture."

Additional key findings include:

·         28 percent of executives surveyed felt the security metrics they used were "Completely Effective."

·         65 percent felt the metrics they used were only "Somewhat Effective."

·         Only 33 percent use dwell time alongside other metrics such as Cost of Incidents (39 percent) and Reduction in Vulnerabilities (39 percent).

To download the full Raytheon|Websense CSO Survey and infographic, please visit: http://www.raytheoncyber.com/rtnwcm/groups/cyber/documents/content/rtn_266013.pdf

Methodology The Raytheon|Websense CSO Survey was fielded by Research Now in March 2015. The responses were generated from a survey of 100 security executives in the U.S.

About Raytheon|Websense Raytheon|Websense delivers comprehensive cyber and multilevel security solutions that provide end-to-end visibility allowing public sector organizations to proactively protect and defend against cyber threats. With over 20 years of experience protecting nations' most sensitive data, Raytheon|Websense's cybersecurity platforms also deliver cost savings and efficiency realization. For more information visit: http://raytheoncyber.com and follow us on Twitter @Raytheoncyber.