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Threat analysis is not something to be taken lightly in the fast paced world of computer technology. Computers, from large business networks to the simple household PC, are constantly bombarded by viruses, spam emails and any number of other IT bogeymen. People are willing to go to great lengths to protect their computers, their data and their privacy. One of the latest ways of doing that is Converged Threat Analysis (CTA), which uses messaging and web security in an innovative way to combat any new and growing threats to security.

CTA works especially well as a preventative measure to forestall threats that may target all available mediums, as opposed to only email, web or IM environments. These threats use new and creative methods to merge and mix viruses, spyware, phishing, and spam to fracture networks and pry into confidential information.

Converged threats are still new and in the minority as far as large-scale attacks go. They do, however, possess the potential to become one of the most effective threats that the computer industry has seen. Their level of sophistication means that they are finely poised to find and strike at the weaknesses in corporate and home defences.

Before converged threats become mainstream, we need to ensure that we are adequately prepared to protect our systems against them. This is why CTA is so important. It’s our first line of defence in the face of an emerging enemy. One of its primary tools is its ability to predict or detect danger. For example: IM and VoIP have been recognised as potential weak points, facilitating easy access to the rest of the system. Threat detection capabilities in these fields must be continuously monitored and enhanced to ensure that they are not breached.

According to a survey by DTI Security Branches in 2006, 97% of businesses have an Internet connection. The average cost of a breach of security is 12,000 Pounds. A quarter of the businesses surveyed had suffered a serious disintegration of critical services due to a computer virus. A collapse of this kind can result in loss of revenue, intellectual property, communications and possibly reputation. CTA is capable of detecting emails that are infected with viruses, intercepting them, and preventing them from reaching your business network.

A Computer Crime and Security survey indicated that 78% of businesses had cases of employees abusing Internet privileges. This includes downloading pirated software, inappropriate use of email and downloading pornography. The abuse of privileges can lead to a security breached if an employee visits a site that has been compromised by viruses. This can be particularly destructive, as it infects not only that employee’s computer, but can be transmitted to the whole business network. One of the benefits of CTA is that it allows for cost-effective network monitoring. This means that employers can see where and how their employees connect to the Internet. CTA also offers protection against web-based threats, which will considerably reduce the risk of viruses and malicious URLs disrupting business for hours and days at a time.

A result of the increased use of email as a method of communication in business necessitates an increased need for stricter legislation and compliance. The DTI Security Breaches Survey revealed that the misuse of email is more likely to be detected with the aid of email scanners. It is important to be able to identify and prevent offensive email content. Defamatory content can damage the reputation of the business, lead to loss of productivity and may, in extreme cases, lead to legal proceedings. The majority of companies that implement an email misuse policy require their employees to read it and sign it. This indicates that they understand the policy and are aware that their communications will be monitored. CTA has a system that proactively identifies and controls inappropriate emails from being sent and received via your business network.

Converged threat analysis is a weapon of the future that is available now. There is no sense in waiting for new and improved viruses or threats to attack your computer or business network and then acting defensively. Proactive steps need to be taken when it comes to the protection of your valuable data and computer systems. Why be one of those who gets left behind, battling with damage control, when you could be at the forefront of technology, benefiting from all the new advancements that have been made.