Cyber crime may be on the increase, but the solution could be on the doorstep for Hampshire companies by calling in specialists in information security systems.

Andrew Ferrier, head of business adviser KPMG's newly established service at Southampton, says the number of security breaches affecting companies has risen in all areas. Unsurprisingly, research among companies in the south reveals that overwhelming concerns centre around the Internet and e-commerce.

"Prevention is better than cure and it is cheaper in the long run and far less painful to invest in preventing a security breach than have to pick up the pieces and repair the damage after the event,'' he said.

"Security breaches are on the increase - since 1998 virus incidents have increased from 20 per cent to 73 per cent and e-mail intrusion from two per cent to nearly 30 per cent.''

KPMG's Southampton-based team sets out to provide information and experience necessary to address security issues.

Mr Ferrier said: "The on-line world is working wonders by streamlining business operations and opening up new market opportunities. But, these benefits can be quickly destroyed by cyber hackers, financial fraudsters and viruses that are on the lookout for loopholes in software.

"Our system provides firewall and network reviews to ensure systems can cope with new methods of attack; dummy attacks to test security and encryption solutions to provide peace of mind that Internet traffic is kept private.''

Most companies and organisations today make use of the Internet, but as many as one in three have nothing set up to protect themselves. Nor do many companies ask for a change in password regularly.

Mr Ferrier said: "The cost of clean up after web attacks can be immense, with potential loss of business transactions, damage to company reputation and theft of assets. Companies need to develop programmes to ensure they get security right first time and then regularly test for flaws, particularly after systems have been upgraded.

"These measures are crucial if companies are to be confident that they are adequately protected from the risks which are now part of business life.''