IBM has recently released its X-Force 2012 Mid-Year Trend and Risk Report, showing a show a sharp increase in targeted attacks on mobile devices. Also, the report reveals increased browser-related exploits, along with an increase in malware attacks and social media network passwords.

As the security landscape continues to evolve, the IBM X-Force 2012 Mid-Year Trend and Risk Report identifies an increase in malware and malicious web activities, and new attacks surfacing up with equal opportunity exploits.

“Companies are faced with a constantly evolving threat landscape, with emerging technologies making it increasingly difficult to manage and secure confidential data,” said Kris Lovejoy, General Manager, IBM Security Services. “A security breach–whether from an outside attacker or an insider–can impact brand reputation, shareholder value, and expose confidential information. Our team of security threat analysts track and monitor security events and attack activity to better help our clients stay ahead of emerging threats.”

The data for the X-Force report comes from IBM’s security operations centers which monitor more than 15 billion security events a day on behalf of more than 4,000 clients in more than 130 countries. Among some of the findings are the following highlights:

• Since the last X-Force report, IBM’s threat analysts have seen an increase in malware and malicious Web activities

• In the first half of 2012, reported mobile vulnerabilities and exploits are down to the lowest levels since 2008

• Most smartphone users are still the most at risk of premium SMS (short message service, or texting) scams

• The use of SQL injection is keeping pace with the increased usage of cross-site scripting and directory traversal commands

• MAC operating system is increasingly quickly becoming a target of Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) and exploits

Besides releasing the X-Force report, IBM also announced the opening of its 10th global security operations center in Wroclaw, Poland. The new center will help manage client security issues, including as a sharp increase in targeted attacks, malware and malicious Web activities. Also, it underscores IBM’s commitment to helping organizations build a strong security posture that helps manage risk, improve service and reduce costs.

“IBM is actively investing in growth markets around the world – creating new facilities and opening new branches to get us closer to the best sources of talent and revenue,” said Anna Sienko, Country General Manager, IBM Poland & Baltics. “IBM is home to some of the most advanced computing skills in the world – the staff of our new security operations center in Wroclaw will join a global team of security experts with unparalleled expertise and experience at helping organizations better understand and respond to the security threats to their business.”

As of now, IBM Security is having nine other global security operations centers in Atlanta, Georgia; Detroit, Michigan; Boulder, Colorado; Toronto, Canada; Brussels, Belgium; Tokyo, Japan; Brisbane, Australia; Hortolandia, Brazil, and Bangalore, India. By opening the latest one in Eastern Europe, it will further help the country with cyber security efforts, important to national and commercial stability.