IT contractors may find a number of job opportunities in the financial services sector, as companies look to tackle a growing information security problem.

According to a new report from the Economist Intelligence Unit and security firm Kroll, the number of financial services companies who have been a victim of theft or loss of data has doubled in the last year.

It was found that 42 per cent of the firms polled suffered data loss - more than any other sector and an indication that cyber criminals are targeting financial services companies.

Speaking to the Financial Times, the head of Kroll's New York Office, Richard Plansky, said that new technologies come with their own pitfalls.

"Businesses have always tried to leverage technology to improve their businesses, but technology is a double-edged sword. Information systems are complicated and vulnerable to fraudsters," he told the publication.

Lloyds TSB recently announced it was shedding more than 1,000 IT contractor positions, in a shake-up of its operations.