Social distancing
On the 16th March 2020, the governments requested we adopt social distancing. Most employers have now activiated their disaster recovery plans and instructed employees to work from home.
A bit of background to hacking
Each day 300,000 to 400,000 malware, phishing e-mails and other forms of cyber security are targeted at commercial businesses. This means there is an attack on a device every 14 seconds.
It is estimated that hackers can spend up to 200 days trying to access a corporate network. This effort can involve up to 30 people and they spend £10,000’s getting access to your company data.
Who are the best cyber security targets for hackers?
There are 5.9 million small to medium businesses in the UK. Almost a third of all small businesses do not have any cyber security in place.
This is why 60% of Cyber attacks are aimed at SME organisation equating to nearly £9 million in financial losses each year. That is nearly 2 million businesses exposed to cyber fraud. Sounds a lot doesn’t it?
Now consider this. A you gov poll found only 44% of UK residents use a Virtual Private Network.
To put this in to perspective that is nearly 45 million people in the UK who have no protection for cyber security threats.
There is a signifcant cyber threat working from home
So, if you work for the “bad guys” where do you think I want to spend my time? 200 days and £10,000 or within minutes hack your home router or hub?
Literally anyone can hack a home network, you can download instructions on how to do it and even a layman can follow them.
The hackers must be loving it
So, although you may be physically safer working from home, your companies data is not, well not if you are one of the 45 million in the UK with no cyber security.
Oh, don’t forget. If I have access to your router, as well as taking your company data I may as well help myself to your banking credentials, credit card details and even your deliveroo log in details.
The technical stuff
A virtual Private Network is an excellent first step in preventing access to your company and personal data. VPN growth in Europe is currently 20% Year on Year.
The problem is, with the entire workforce working from home, that growth rate needs to closer to 200% NOT 20%.
But it is not all about you?
Your business has a large to play a part in this as well. According to recent research published on the 14th March hackers are looking to exploit the situation and employers are helping them.
Organisations must keep their systems updated and patched. Employers need to transparent with employees about the dangers of malicious emails, particularly those that use coronavirus fears to tempt individuals to click on them and download computer viruses.
Unfortunately for everyone the hackers have no morals when it comes to exploiting your fears and your weaknesses, in your cyber security strategy that is.
Summary
More people, spending more time at home and more time online gives hackers more opportunity to hack. With only 44% of the country covered by basic cyber security this gives hackers considerably more targets and the opportunity to “smash and grab” both company and personal data.
Organisations need to be ‘on their game’ to ensure that their infrastrcutre and cyber defenses are patched and up to date and that employees are aware of the tactics being used by hackers in relation to coronavirus scams.
This could be a good day at the office. Just not for organisations who are not prepared and the 45 million people without cyber security on their home network.
If you would like to be “safer at home” then contact us