Human Resource Execs Fear Internet Intrusion
Survey shows personnel records vulnerable

May 1, 1995 -- Sunnyvale, CA -- More than 80 percent of the nation' s human
resources executive directors believe that sensitive personnel data is at
risk to internet intrusion, according to an industry-wide survey conducted
in the first quarter of this year.

The telephone survey, conducted by Cylink Corporation, Sunnyvale
California, polled a random sampling of human resource professionals in 21
states.

The survey found that nearly 80 percent of the respondents felt their
companies should increase data security in the near future. Their concern
was driven by the fact that 60 percent of all human resource databases
reside on the enterprise network and that 70 percent of the executives
surveyed indicate that sensitive personnel records could be accessed by
other departments within their own companies.

Security Ambiguity

The survey turned up a variety of reasons for security concerns. "We need
more data security because of the legal liability. Greater technology
access has forced us to look at our entire information security system,"
said one respondent.

"Our concern is the integrity of the individual' s records. While we want
employees to be able to electronically access part of their personnel
file, we are concerned about maintaining payroll status and preventing
those who want to access someone else's files," reports another
executive.

While stating the need for increased information security, most executives
polled admitted they knew little or nothing about information security
techniques.

"I'm not a technical person," was one most often heard response. "I believe
our profession will need more information security, but I'm waiting for
more guidelines from our technical department," was another response.

Passwords Popular

According to the executives surveyed, passwords were the most widely-used
data security technique. Unfortunately, passwords, have been proven to be
relatively ineffective against Internet and enterprise network data
security breaches. Cylink is among the security experts who recommend
cryptographic-based information security.

According to David Morris, Cylink's Vice President of Sales and Marketing,
certificate-based security techniques are almost hack-proof.

"An information security systems that requires a certificate -- sort of an
information highway drivers license that includes a person's name, access
privileges and what is known as a 'public key' -- will soon be the
technique of choice for the information-security savvy enterprise," Morris
points out.

Cylink Corporation provides enterprise networking leadership through its
innovative, state-of-the-art Enterprise Security Architecture and advanced
spread spectrum radio technology. Headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif.,
Cylink selves Fortune 500 companies, multinational financial institutions,
and many international government agencies.

CYLINK
910 Hermosa Court
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
408/735-5800,   FAX 408/735-6643

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