There continues to be talk of computer “hackers” who work from remote terminals to tap into data centers and take information or ruin data.

However, a survey by the American Bar Association found that 77% of criminals came from within. The most frequently cited group for stealing or damaging company data were computer programmers.

“Hackers have received all the publicity, but the greatest threat by far still comes from individuals who work in the data center,” says Richard Bessenhoffer, vice president of Total Assets Protection, an Arlington, TX consultancy.

The survey questionnaire was distributed to Fortune 500 individuals and to federal, state, and local government agencies. The 179 respondents fielded questions ranging from estimates on total annual losses due to computer crime in the U.S., to views on the need for a federal statute on the punishment of computer criminals; 79% favored such a law.