HP published a research report that highlights trends in enterprise computing and security vulnerabilities of networks in the first half of 2010.

The report, prepared by Digital Vaccine Labs (Delays) HP Tipping Point provides organizations with visibility of the attacks that focus on their applications and networks in operation. This information allows administrators to make changes to the system that are needed to reduce the possibility of breaches in the network that could lead to financial loss or reduced productivity.

The use of employee-based business applications on the Web and social networking sites while connected to corporate networks continues to grow every day. Although the premise of the employees in these programs is honorable (to help create brand awareness or increase productivity), the use of these applications open to serious enterprise network security threats.

The cyber security report uses actual data from security events to highlight the way in which these activities endanger a network, so that companies are better able to contemplate these questions.

“To mitigate the risk of network security, organizations need detailed information about potential threats associated with the use of social networking sites and downloads of Web applications in a business environment,” said Mike Dousing, manager of security intelligence HP Advanced Tipping Point Delays. “If they understand the greater risk posed by these applications to the corporate network, organizations can implement remedial strategies to ensure that business processes and data remain safe.”

One of the main findings of the report was that 80% of network attacks focused on Web-based systems. There are two key elements in this figure: Web sites and Web clients. The report indicates that Web sites are constantly at risk of being put out of line or damaged by SQL Injection attacks, PHP File Include other attacks, and that these types of attacks have doubled in the last six months.

In addition, attacks against Web browsers and Web client applications such as QuickTime and Flash have tripled in the first half of the year and are often the main entry point for attackers to gain access to a network.

Understand the frequency of attacks and the risks of Web-based computing enable organizations to set security settings on their systems to protect critical assets in a network.