Saudi GazetteSources: The Prince Muqren Information Security Research Chair at King Saud University (KSU), the Excellence Center for Information Security. 11.2 million users of the Internet in Saudi Arabia About 540 million computer viruses were sent to Saudi Arabia in the second quarter of 2010 alone Saudi Arabia ranks number 10 in electronic attacks worldwide 22.6% of organizations in Saudi Arabia have suffered hacking attacks RIYADH — The increased use of IT devices per person is posing heightened risks to computer networks in the Kingdom, according to a study conducted by a multinational networking company. Talhah Jarad, Business Development Manager for Information and Physical Security, Cisco Systems, said at a press conference here Monday that five to seven IT devices were in operation per person on a daily basis. The number might go up to 140 during the next 2-3 years, he said. Quoting the Communication and Information Technology Commission (CITC), Jarad said that a low level of awareness about security threats poses a real risk to most of the 11.2 million Internet users in the Kingdom. He said according to research conducted by the Prince Muqren Information Security Research Chair at King Saud University (KSU), about 540 million computer viruses were sent to Saudi Arabia in the second quarter of 2010 alone. The research also highlighted the fact that Saudi Arabia ranks number 10 in electronic attacks worldwide, added Jarad. The growing trend is that people are using smart devices from their offices, homes, restaurants, hospitals or even while holidaying, he said. This has led to increased use of the Internet. About 66 percent of the population use the Internet in any location they can, 45 percent spend extra hours in offices to use the net, and 59 percent want to use their own personal devices while at work. According to the Excellence Center for Information Security, 22.6 percent of organizations in Saudi Arabia have suffered hacking attacks targeting their IT infrastructure,” Jarad said. __
