Twenty-first century enterprises enjoy near-instantaneous access to near real-time financial data-accounts receivable, the bank balance, and personal stock holdings. As a result, they are more reliant on computer and network systems to carry out vital day-to-day business operations. They want data to be accessible when they need it and it must be protected at all times.

In light of this, it is rather unsettling when someone from the banking and finance industry proudly proclaims that their information technology (IT) systems have never been hacked.