IN THE SPOTLIGHT: BUSINESS CRIME & PROTECTION UNDERSTANDING CYBER RISKS


An innovative cyber security company is urging businesses to protect themselves from cyber attacks. 4Secure is renowned for


successfully countering and responding to the most sophisticated cyber threats. The first death caused by a cyber


attack last year has now prompted the firm to urge businesses to take steps to protect themselves. Managing director Peter


Hoinville (pictured) said: “Last year saw possibly the first death to be caused directly as a result of a cyber attack on a German hospital’s IT systems. It resulted in them being unable to admit a patient who later died as a result of the delay and being diverted elsewhere. “There’s also been increasingly


sophisticated cyber-attacks against a growing number of home and remote workers, using newly issued, or potentially unfamiliar, IT systems. These attacks targeted the very tools used to enable access and collaboration, including efforts to gain remote access credentials, faked Zoom accounts and social engineering. There’s also been a reported increase in malicious emails exploiting pandemic-related anxieties. “Every business has assets that


need protecting; their information, know-how, bank account details. If an attacker stopped you accessing your accounting information or customer database in an effort to extort money from you, it could place your business at risk of collapse.” Firms should ensure their critical


IT systems are secure, protected and up-to-date as this will, in most cases, defend against almost 80% of common cyber attacks. By signing up to the Cyber Essentials scheme, businesses can better understand these risks and implement appropriate technical


controls. 4Secure helps


organisations achieve Cyber Essentials and prepare for


cyber incidents by educating staff and putting defences in place. Its virtual Data Protection Officer and virtual Chief Information Security Officer services offer expert level data protection, GDPR-compliance and information security skills on demand without increasing headcount. It also offers additional services including the VEILLANTTM security monitoring centre that gives customers 24-7 visibility network activity enabling real-time alerting, or a response, as necessary.


Visit: www.4-secure.com HOME WORKERS MUST REMAIN VIGILANT


Officers from Northamptonshire Police Cyber Protect Team are urging businesses to remind staff to be extra vigilant while working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic. At the onset of the pandemic last year, Northamptonshire Police reported that the risk of businesses being targeted had increased with more employees working remotely, some using their own devices, and less opportunity to discuss suspicious links with colleagues. Ransomware is a type of malware used by criminals that prevents access to your computer documents by silently encrypting them, which means they cannot be opened, modified or used. The computer itself may also become


locked or the documents might be stolen or corrupted irreversibly. Ransomware will usually try to spread on to other networked devices and storage, infecting them and encrypting more stored data. The force has issued a guide of five steps to


help reduce the risk to businesses and their staff from ransomware. Businesses should: • Always have a recent copy of their most important documents. Make regular backups via the cloud and/or use storage that is disconnected after each backup is complete • Keep their operating system, apps and other


20 inbusiness FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021


software up-to-date. Security patches are included in these updates


• Avoid clicking links in unexpected emails and texts. Phishing is the still the main technique used by cybercriminals


• Only download from trusted sources and app stores and never open attachments in unverified emails. Attachments and downloaded files can infect your device with malware


• Ensure they’re using an up-to-date and trusted antivirus package on each device and have enabled their firewall


For more information on protecting yourself online visit www.ncsc.gov.uk If you believe a live ransomware attack is taking place call 999. Alternatively, report it and other cybercrime to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or actionfraud.police.uk


‘ATTACKS


TARGETED THE VERY TOOLS


USED TO ENABLE ACCESS AND


COLLABORATION’


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