Berlin Introduces Internet Security Campaign for Companies

The German government has kicked off an information campaign to improve Internet security for small and medium-sized companies. Together with the German Association for Information Technology, Telecommunications and New Media E.V (BITKOM), the German interior and finance ministries have developed a computer warning system against threats from the computer hackers. Rezzo Schlauch, parliamentary state secretary in the Finance Ministry said most companies still underestimated Internet-based security risks and didn’t invest enough money in security. "Unauthorized manipulation of company computers and networks can imperil the existence of a company," Schlauch said. More than 160 million cases of Internet security problems were registered in Germany in the first quarter of 2003, with damages amounting to more than a €1 billion ($1.22 billion). BITKOM estimates that every computer virus outbreak costs a company an average of €5,800 ($7,082).