Spring 2014 issue of Horizons

WELCOME FROM THE MANAGING PARTNER

Recent high-profile cyber security attacks like the data breach at Target have spurred an investment boom in cyber security companies. Research group PrivCo reports that early-stage funding for the cyber security sector soared almost 60% in 2013. Researchers expect that 2014 will bring more start-ups, along with subsequent transaction activity as security problems continue to increase, in tandem with our growing awareness of them. The Latest Trend: Cyber Security Start-Ups Even more frightening are the statistics on loss and occurrence. Poneman Institute reports that the cost of cybercrime has increased 26% since 2012 and further predicts that 3 out of 4 companies will be targeted by malicious web applications in this year alone. While heavily covered in the media, cybercrime is a serious business issue that threatens all of us—no matter what our size. This is why we chose the topic of cyber security as our theme for this issue. This is one of the largest issues of Horizons RubinBrown has ever published. There’s a lot of information to report on the topic of cyber security. And we hope that you glean some thought- provoking information and ideas from our research and writing. In addition to several great feature articles on cyber resilience, big data, and IT due diligence, we have also included articles that focus on cybercrimes’ effect on several industries. Check out the cyber articles related to colleges and universities, gaming, life sciences, professional services and manufacturing & distribution. I would welcome your feedback on ways we can continue to serve you as thought leaders in business as well as deliver “totally satisfied clients.” Please email me directly at john.herber@rubinbrown.com . There’s no doubt that cybercrime is on the rise. Cisco Systems Inc. reports that cybercrime was up 14% in 2013 from the year before.

John F. Herber Jr., CPA, CGMA Managing Partner

Pleasant reading,

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