Providing cyber-security can be a relatively glory-free mission, but it’s still No. 1 on the priority list of many government agencies, according to a recent survey released by CDW Government. Consider the following statistics:

• 54 percent of all federal agencies participating in the survey said they experience a cyber-security incident at least once a week.

• 33 percent said malware is the top daily cyber-security issue, and 25 percent said remote user access is the top daily issue.

• External sources account for 47 percent of an agency’s biggest threat, such as state-sponsored cyber-security warfare programs that target DOD-linked enterprises.

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Clearly, the demand for IT solutions that can keep up with the numerous hackers out there won’t slow down anytime soon. “Despite technology implementation and employee education programs, few agencies are seeing an actual decrease in the number or severity of cyber-security incidents,” says Andy Lausch, vice president of federal sales for CDW-G.

“Unfortunately, they are simply outpaced by organized crime, increasingly sophisticated hackers and state-sponsored professionals. What’s more, employee noncompliance with security procedures, inappropriate Web surfing and carelessness with devices open the gate to external cyber-security threats.