Capitalising on the disruption resulting from the move to remote working, cybercriminals ‘prospered’ in 2020…
There was a 20% rise in cybersecurity threats compared with 2019 and an 80% surge in ransomware attacks in the third quarter.
Covid restrictions are still in place, and a move to a more flexible, hybrid working environment forecast post-pandemic – so greater security vigilance is essential.
1) PHISHING IS INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED
- Spear-phishinG
- Vishing (voice phishing)
- Smishing (SMS text phishing)
- Angle phishing (targeting ‘bad experience’ customers via social media)
2) SIMULATE AN ATTACK, BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE
- Expose your vulnerabilities
- Monitor your ability to detect a breach
- Measure the response to a breach
- Fix the weaknesses
3) TEST THE INTEGRITY OF YOUR SOFTWARE
- Shake up your testing program
- Don’t take the vendor’s word – test yourself
- Use robust, manual review techniques
- Test, test, and test again
4) TRAIN YOUR STAFF
- The most efficient way to limit risk
- Develop an ongoing training program
- Train, train, and train again
5) DON’T JUST CHECK EVERYTHING ONCE!
- Managing security is a continual process
- Build it into your IT calendar
- Make it a priority!