SECURITY
on these firms’ connection to large projects in both public and private sectors.
We are, hopefully, coming to the end of the pandemic and, while enforced remote working should become a thing of the past, the more tech-enabled working environment it created is here to stay. So are the hackers looking to exploit it.
If they haven’t already, facilities managers must begin the tricky task of marrying traditional ways of working with the more remote and flexible arrangements employees will expect post-pandemic. This continued digital transformation must coincide with a greater focus on security if we reclaim the advantage from the cyber criminals.
The human element When it comes to implementing proper cybersecurity protocols, business leaders will often think of tools and technology first. But in reality, people, culture and education are just as important.
Figures from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport show that two in five (39%) businesses experienced a cybersecurity attack or breach during the past 12 months. With the majority of cases including instances where employees had fallen victim to phishing emails or of others impersonating their organisation online.
It’s also likely these figures are even higher, with attacks often going unreported due to a lack of training, or even to avoid embarrassment.
Our own research, which examined data from hundreds of attacks simulated on businesses under real-world conditions, found that people were the single largest vulnerability for most businesses, even prior to COVID-19. This makes educating employees about the cyber threats they face at work, and at home, absolutely vital.
Beyond this, are deeper, cultural shifts that a lot of companies must undertake. Too often – particularly within large businesses – the mindset is to hide problems from leaders for fear of repercussion, which creates a disconnect between board room and shop floor.
Typically, the faster a breach is detected, the less impact it has on both a business’ bottom line and reputation. So, at a time when businesses are already under intense pressure, it’s essential to foster a supportive culture where individuals can openly ask questions, learn how to spot and avoid cyber threats and, vitally, feel confident that flagging risks won’t adversely affect their careers.
new scams relating to the virus were shut down by the National Cyber Security Centre. Examples include cyber criminals sending fake emails purporting to be from video conferencing services Zoom and Microsoft Teams or launching false coronavirus tracker apps that claim to show people where the outbreaks in their area are but instead infect devices with malware.
The pivot towards these coronavirus-based attacks has also seen businesses with links to government and critical infrastructure disproportionately affected. With firms such as Bam Construction, Interserve and Elexon all having been targeted by attackers looking to cash in
www.tomorrowsfm.com
Future of work While the pandemic has helped to usher in a new era in the world of work, it’s also created a unique opportunity for criminals and has highlighted the cyber risks that come with a more digitally enabled world of work.
There is no turning back for firms whose employees have become accustomed to a remote and more flexible relationship with their employer.
Embracing this sea change in how we operate must be accompanied, not just by comprehensive cybersecurity infrastructure, but a culture of awareness to the threats we face whether working from home or in the office.
www.coalfire.com TOMORROW’S FM | 29
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