Web Services Risks - Understanding The Web Services Security Threat

Description:Even though Web services standards are only a few years old, the rapid ratification by standards bodies and the committed support by major vendors are unprecedented. Companies and government agencies have been rushing in, with many projects already in production. The question of Web services security, however, continues to be the leading issue and the top investment area for companies enabling Web Services. Is there a reason for this? Can existing technologies plug these security holes created by Web Services? Are the risks the same for all services – across the user base: internal employees vs. external users? Are the Web services dangers and risks more or less than with existing technologies? The benefits and ease of use make the adoption of Web Services a foregone conclusion. The real question that enterprises must ask themselves when adopting Web Services is: what are the reasonable and cost effective steps to mitigate Web services risks to an acceptable level for our organization?