Austin-based start-up Wisegate, the peer-based knowledge service, released research that reveals top strategies Wisegate CSO members will use to combat next year’s biggest security threats. In this report, Wisegate CSO members from across industries share their perspectives on the most anticipated security threats of 2013 and practical tips on how to mitigate risk.

“The nature of the present-day threats aren’t necessarily new, but it’s the attack vectors and manifestations that change over time,” said Dave Notch, former CISO of Thomson Reuters. “For example, data loss is a perpetual concern—as a threat to intellectual property, sensitive data, business privacy and security—just as it has always been.

Notch added, “but the fact that workers increasingly use their own smart phones to access corporate data puts a new spin on the old problem. Businesses must adapt their security programs to deal with their lack of control over the network (the Internet), their computers (personal devices) and their data (cloud computing).”

The general consensus among Wisegate CSO members is that specific threats—like the latest virus or DDoS attacks—are not the most urgent security concerns of 2013. Rather it’s broader areas such as mobile computing, BYOD (bring your own device), cloud computing and IT security awareness that will need their heightened attention in the coming year.

Wisegate’s most recent report reveals:

• Why the consumerization of IT will continue to plague IT departments in 2013
• Which network security strategies help companies mitigate BYOD risks
• How companies are using awareness training to educate employees about the importance of data protection
• Why IT departments are transforming their organizations from technology gatekeepers to actively bringing in the latest technologies that stand to pose a threat.

Most importantly, Wisegate’s report shares specific details of how leading CSO’s are planning to tackle these challenges and what strategies they will deploy.

“IT operations and infosec professionals have their work cut out for them in the year ahead,” said Sara Gates, Founder and CEO of Wisegate. “Though security threat vectors are changing, the underlying principles of how to address them are not. It’s more important than ever for CSOs to rapidly glean information from peer practitioners - information that will help them form the right strategies to get out in front of potential threats. Wisegate helps its CSO members remain at the forefront of addressing these challenges.”

To request a copy of Wisegate’s report titled “Preparing for the Top IT Security Threats of 2013,” please visit www.wisegateit.com/resources/downloads-security-threats-report

About Wisegate

Wisegate (wisegateit.com) is a private IT expert community and information service for senior IT professionals, providing high quality research and intelligence from the best source available – the collective knowledge of IT leaders from across the industry. With online Q&A, detailed product reviews, live roundtables, and published peer-based research, Wisegate offers a practical and unbiased information source built on the real-world experience of veteran IT professionals.