User security threatened by 'sub-standard' ASPs

Shape up, or ship out, IDC tells shoddy ASPs

A quarter of ASPs are failing to achieve acceptable levels of security. IDC looked at 50 ASPs and found that 25 per cent of them had sub-standard user authentication, virus protection, network security and firewalls. ASPs which are unable to reach these standards should not enter the market because customers stand to suffer huge financial losses if something goes wrong, IDC claims. The survey does, however, argue that the more established ASPs at the higher-end of the market are rolling out enhanced security services in contrast to newer entrants.