Passwords
One of the simplest things to address to ensure you and your company are safe online is to maintain strong passwords that are changed regularly. Strong passwords include a mixture of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. However, these do need to be memorable as it is not safe to store a document with all of your passwords in it!
All of your staff should have their own unique passwords so that not everyone’s accounts are compromised if one member of staff is hacked.
Software Updates
We have all ignored a software update at one time or another but in the interest of your system security, you should allow your software and technology to carry out updates as these will often include important updates in security.
Anti-virus Software
Viruses have the ability to corrupt or destroy data so that it can no longer be used. It is advised that you choose one anti-virus provider for your systems as having multiple software in place can result in computers becoming inoperable and/or the various software cancelling each other out, leaving you more exposed than you thought.
Check the coverage on offer and look at independent reviews before making a decision on who to go with.
Email Phishing Scams
Never open an email if it seems suspicious and definitely do not open any attachments unless you know who it is from and if you were expecting to receive it. Malicious links and attachments enable viruses to infect your system allowing hackers to gain access to sensitive personal data like usernames, passwords, payment information, etc.
The problem with phishing is that, often, such emails appear authentic and as though they are from legitimate organisations or someone you know. Download the eBook here to find out what to look out for specifically.
Physical Safety
Controlling the access to machines and ensuring they are not left unattended in unsecure locations prevents criminals from directly accessing technology, which would allow them much easier access to data straight from the device.
Back Up
Always ensure you have additional copies of your data so that if something does happen and records are destroyed, you are able to access your data and restore it from an external drive.
Cyber Attack Insurance Cover
It is possible to purchase insurance cover to protect your business against the financial consequences of a cyber attack. The losses a business can suffer may be direct or indirect, e.g. paying compensation to customers whose data has been lost.
Cover can include:
- Costs of investigating breach and restoring data
- Business interruption
- Privacy costs
- Hacker damage
- Media liability
- Cyber extortion/ransom
- Social engineering, e.g. telephone, email
- Third party damages
- Costs incurred in dealing with the Information Commission
Some of these covers are standard and others are optional; therefore, it is important to seek independent advice on your insurance needs to determine which policy best fits your requirements.
Insurers will also offer assistance should a loss occur through access to dedicated professional claims and IT support to help with everything from data restoration to dealing with a ransom demand.
To enquire about cyber insurance for your business, contact us on 01653 697055 or at enquiries@mcclarroninsurance.com.
Blog updated Oct 2023.
