As computers, information systems, and networking have become more ubiquitous, cyber security has become more critical for the continuity of business operations. To underscore the importance of investing in an effective cyber security program, this ReadyNote starts with an overview of the many causes of cyber security problems, the financial impacts of cyber security attacks, and trends in security threats. From this context, IT Professional's Simon Y. Liu then explains cyber security regulations and compliance, with an emphasis on building an approach that engages the entire enterprise and focuses on the three pillars of cyber security: people, policy, and process.

Simon Y. Liu is the Director of Information Systems at the US National Library of Medicine. His research interests include cyber security, IT architecture, software engineering, database and data mining. Liu has two Doctoral degrees in Computer Science and Higher Education Administration from George Washington University, a Master's degree in Government from Johns Hopkins University, a Master's degree in Business Administration from University of Maryland, and a Master's degree in Computer Science from Indiana University. He is an adjunct faculty member with Johns Hopkins University and the Associate Editor-in-Chief of IT Professional magazine.