Identifying threats

They include "bugs" or flaws in operating systems, applications, network protocols, security systems or active hardware.

Protocol interoperability offers many advantages, not least that of providing cost-effective network access points on a wide range of IT, telephone and industrial equipment. While the solution is attractive, since it eliminates the need for interconnection work, it is also conducive to more software vulnerabilities, due to the juxtaposition of hardware and software layers from several constantly evolving manufacturers. The discovery of a vulnerability now affects many users, giving a hacker a wide field of attack.

Software vulnerabilities are IT weaknesses; the openness of systems and...