Energis trains employees and customers in IT security : Only one company in ten has staff with the necessary qualifications

Purpose – Highlights the information‐technology security threats facing business today, and describes why communications company Energis is offering free security‐awareness training to customers and employees. Demonstrates measures they can put in place to avoid unnecessary losses from security failures. Design/methodology/approach – Uses information from an interview with the director of security management at Energis, and details contained in a UK Department of Trade and Industry report on information‐security breaches. Findings – Demonstrates that too few organizations have measured the threats to their information‐technology systems, and the risks of being unprotected. Argues that too few people have formal qualifications in information security. Practical implications – Describes the content of online information‐security courses from Thomson NETg, and how these tie in with the Energis “Route to Xpert” program.Originality/valueOutlines how e‐learning and access to Energis consultants are helping Energis clients to get to grips with the problems and improve their information‐security policies.