Cyber risk has sky-rocketed in the months that remote working has increased. Hackers know that remote workers often don’t have the same security set-up at home as they do at the office. But even when strong security protocols are in place, hackers get in and data breaches happen.
Why? Because human action has long been reported as one of the highest cyber risks. Some people just can’t resist clicking on enticing links, no matter where they came from. Temptation to fall for clickbait seems to be even higher for people working at home in their jammies. Plus, people under stress are more likely to act without thinking things through. Hackers know that, too.
In a recent whitepaper titled, “Cyberchology: The Human Element,” 80% of businesses surveyed stated that their cyber risk has increased in 2020. More than 75% of businesses said that one-half or more of their people were working remotely. Up to 47% of survey respondents reported experiencing stress issues. No wonder that cybersecurity breach reports are up 63%!
Click here (yes, a valid link) to read the entire whitepaper. It’s interesting. Plus, it’s free. https://cdn1.esetstatic.com/ESET/UK/Collateral/White_Paper_Cyberchology.pdf
Bottom line, tons of money invested in security can go right out the window if people don’t use systems securely. Your systems are only as safe as the security knowledge and understanding of your least knowledgeable worker. With the extra challenges of remote work and the pandemic, businesses can help workers maintain cybersecurity practices at the office and at home with periodic reminders to:
- Keep software systems up to date and use a good anti-virus program.
- Examine the email address and URLs in all correspondence to detect a scammer mimicking a legitimate site or email address.
- Ignore text messages, emails, or phone calls asking you to update or verify your account information and go to the company’s website to see if something needs your attention.
- Never open unexpected attachments until verifying the sender’s email address and use virus scan before opening any document.
- Scrutinize all electronic requests for a payment or fund transfers.
- Be extra suspicious of any message that urges immediate action.
Human action has long been reported as one of the highest cyber risks. People who click before thinking things through can let hackers into your systems to do all sorts of expensive and embarrassing damage. Periodic cybersecurity reminders, especially for those who are working at home in their jammies, can go along way to reducing cyber risk during this pandemic and over the long run.