Report: Many UK firms at risk of telephony data breaches

Many UK companies could be at risk of data breaches via their telephone networks, yet despite 40 per cent of firms saying their security in this area had been attacked, around half are unaware of the threat or take no steps to protect themselves, a new report has found.

The study by ICT consultancy firm Damovo UK said 61 per cent of companies with more than 400 employees have suffered losses of £5,000 or more because of "telephony fraud" - with 35 per cent losing over £10,000, Director of Finance reports.

Yet 83 per cent of companies do not constantly monitor their telephone network - meaning many that have spent time and money protecting their data networks could still be open to security breaches through their telephony.

Damovo UK managing director Nick Dean said: "Hacking is not just an activity limited to data networks and PCs - organised criminal units constantly look for vulnerabilities in voice networks to exploit and profit from."

Some 48 per of firms with more than 600 employees cited mobile devices as the biggest threat to their voice network.