If Europe’s top footballing nations were to compete in a World Cup of IT security, host nation Germany would be the clear winner, according to research from security firm McAfee.

England ties with Italy for third place behind host nation Germany and 1998 World football champions France when it cc to IT security.

Spain and Holland reflect their early exits in the Germany 2006 World Cup by finishing bottom when it came to IT security.

The study, conducted by Ipsos Mori, surveyed over 600 senior IT decision makers at companies with more than 250 employees across Europe. Companies were scored against responses to set criteria from IT network security satisfaction, cost effectiveness and whether they had suffered a security breach in the last six months.

Germany just edged past its neighbours France when it came to satisfaction in IT security in their businesses. Some 91 per cent of those questioned in German businesses were 80 per cent or more satisfied with the level of IT protection in their business compared to 87 per cent of French businesses who were 80 per cent or more satisfied.

Germany had the strongest IT security defensive record against cyber threats followed by France and the UK who tied for second place. Just behind in fourth place is Italy while the Netherlands and Spain continued their poor form with 5th and 6th place respectively.

'Football is just as unpredictable as today’s threats on corporate networks and PCs. As attacks become more cunning and skilful, good business like good football teams need a solid defence,' said Xavier Juredieu, Senior Regional Director of Enterprise Products for McAfee.

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