30 Mar Cyber security is essential when preparing for COVID-19

Cyber security is essential when preparing for COVID-19

Businesses around the country are looking at ways to protect their staff and vulnerable members of the community from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Instructing their staff to work remotely may be one way of minimising the spread of the virus. However, remote work arrangements can have security implications and cyber criminals may attempt to take advantage of this. The cyber risks of flexible work arrangements could include malware infection, unauthorised access, data security, and insecure devices used by staff.

It’s important that businesses and their staff ensure that remote access to business networks is secure so they aren’t vulnerable and business information isn’t exposed.

The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) has provided a timely reminder to incorporate cyber security into your contingency planning.

Ensuring good cyber security measures now is the best way to address the cyber threat

Consider incorporating the following proactive strategies:

• Review your business continuity plans and procedures.
• Ensure that your systems, including Virtual Private Networks and firewalls, are up to date with the most recent security patches (see guidance for Windows and Apple products).
• Increase your cyber security measures in anticipation of the higher demand on remote access technologies, and test them ahead of time.
• If you use a remote desktop client, ensure it is secure.
• Ensure your work devices, such as laptops and mobile phones, are secure.
• Implement multi-factor authentication for remote access systems and resources (including cloud services).
• Ensure that you are protected against Denial of Service (DoS) threats.
• Ensure that your staff and stakeholders are informed and educated in cyber security practices, such as detecting socially-engineered messages.
• Ensure that staff working from home have physical security measures in place. This minimises the risk that information may be accessed, used, modified or removed from the premises without authorisation.

Source: Australian Signals Directorate: Cyber security is essential when preparing for COVID-19

A cyber insurance policy should be part of every successful business’s risk management framework. Cyber insurance is not the first line of defence; it is designed to protect a business when it’s IT security, policies and procedures fail to stop an attack.

Don’t wait until it’s too late – click here to obtain a Cyber Insurance quote online in a matter of minutes.

If you have any further questions regarding Cyber Insurance and how it can protect your business, contact CRM Brokers on 1300 880 494.

Partnership with Stay Smart Online

CRM Brokers are proud partners of Stay Smart Online, an Australian Government initiative designed to help everyone understand the risks and simple steps we can take to protect our personal and financial information online.

Stay Smart Online also provide a free Alert Service to explain recent online threats and how they can be managed. Small business users are provided with easy to understand online safety and security information and solutions to help protect their online safety a privacy. Sign Up to the Alert Service: https://www.staysmartonline.gov.au/alert-service

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