IBM Internet Security Systems' X-Force has released its annual report outlining the malicious software threat and trending landscape. In a nutshell, things are getting more complicated (landscape-wise) and the impact is becoming more technically complex. Read the report and you can directly glean as well as infer certain facts.

As malware becomes harder and harder to catch in real-time using currently-available technology (a trend that has become quite clear over the past year or more) and as the intent of the malicious software becomes more and more geared toward complete remote system control and access, the potential situation looks - I'll just say it - pretty darned bleak.

It's important to stay up-to-date if you're an IT or Security professional (or hard-core geek). Here are your links:

• The ars technica article: Annual IBM security report paints worrisome picture for 2008 (includes some good side-bar thoughts)
• The full IBM report download (PDF, about 3MB): IBM Internet Security Systems X-Force 2007 Trends Statistics

Quiz in the morning. :)