With cyber-crime now in the news almost on a daily basis, it poses a real risk to businesses and their reputation. With the General Data Protection Regulations coming into force from May 2018, the responsibility of businesses to securely hold their customer and client data will continue to increase. How can business owners protect themselves from the ever growing threat posed by cyber-crime?
We’ve been talking to Premier BusinessCare, a business insurance broker servicing SME’s, which has looked at 3 common methods used by cybercriminals to deceive businesses and have suggested ways to help them prevent it.
Type: Phishing
What is it? Phishing (also known as spear phishing) refers to emails sent by cybercriminals that look like they’ve from a genuine sender, like a recognisable company or a colleague.
How to prevent it:
Query unexpected emails
If you receive an email with links or attachments that you weren’t expecting, speak to the company who have sent it to you before opening any attached documents or clicking on any links.
Don’t send personal details
Never enter personal details and avoid sending any personal information via email. If in doubt, phone the company to check the information request was from them!
Hover over the senders email address to reveal the senders true identity
Whilst not always a bullet proof method of detecting a phishing email, this can reveal the actual email address that the email has come from.
Type: Malware
What is it? Malware (or malicious software) is a term used for viruses which are designed to gain access to or damage a computer or network.
How to prevent it:
Delete suspicious emails
Because Malware is often introduced to your system or computer via an email attachment, avoid opening anything that you weren’t expecting or that look suspicious.
Keep your devices up to date
Make sure that you download all software updates as soon as they appear; this keeps them up to date with cyber protection software.
Scan for threats
As well as keeping your software up to date, it is essential that you Regularly run system security scans to identify potential threats.
Type: Data Theft
What is it? Theft of data is far more common than we think because it sometimes goes completely unnoticed. If a criminal copies your data and leaves without messing with anything then you would never know.
How to prevent it:
Data Encryption
Encrypting files and data means that only those with the decryption key or password will have access to read it. This can help protect sensitive information so that it is only visible to those with authorised access.
Dispose of sensitive data
If you’re holding sensitive information about clients or colleagues it is important to know the rules around handling different types of information, including the rules around disposal or ‘data shredding’.
What else can businesses do? There are lots of cybersecurity insurance products available that can offer protection against a number of cyber risks. Premier BusinessCare offers a range of commercial insurance products and work closely with some of the UK’s leading insurers to find tailored cover to meet a business’s needs.
