Since the beginning of the pandemic, cyberattacks have increased fivefold. Along with this, attacks on critical societal infrastructure, such as hospitals and food delivery services, have increased. These organizations, which were previously not considered prime targets for hacking, are now lucrative targets for opportunistic cyber-criminals looking to exploit civilian disarray and enterprise disorganization in a time of greater need.
The ‘new normal’ necessitates new training.
The human behind the desk has long been the weakest link in cybersecurity. This vulnerability is more potent than ever in the new world of remote working. Without the safeguards and formalities of the workplace, it’s easy for employee cybersecurity to fall to the bottom of the priority list. Targeted phishing scams, illegal downloads, family members gaining access to company laptops, and insecure WiFi are just a few of the issues that cybersecurity teams face.
Security awareness campaigns and training are critical for mitigating these risks. However, simply sending an email warning employees to be on the lookout for phishing scams isn’t enough. Training must be dynamic, engaging, and continuous. Now is the time for organizations that have previously ignored employee cybersecurity training to change their ways.
The secure return
Securing remote working is about more than just keeping data and systems safe while they are outside the traditional perimeter; it is also about avoiding a Trojan horse scenario. Employees will gradually return to the workplace as organizations perfect the security for a home setup. This will present new challenges. Another shift in working patterns could expose new vulnerabilities, while cybersecurity teams must be aware of – and mitigate – the risk of devices brought from home allowing malicious sand to enter the network. Cleaning each device before it connects to the company network will be critical.
Organizations are being pushed to improve their security, embrace new technologies, and identify their vulnerabilities. While the stakes are high, companies’ investments and focus today will allow them to emerge stronger tomorrow.
Call Cegura Technologies to see how we help clients build digital trust – transforming security into a source of strength and competitive advantage.
