Reducing risk of online ID theft

The total cost of U.S. identity fraud in 2004 was $52.6 billion, with 11.6 percent of stolen identity information obtained online, according to Javelin Strategy & Research and the Better Business Bureau. The proliferation of online applications providing access to confidential identity data has magnified vulnerabilities that are not adequately addressed by traditional network security techniques. The following policies, procedures and systems are recommended to implement a security program for online applications.