5 LESSONS TO LEARN FROM 2020 SECURITY BREACHES

Capitalising on the disruption resulting from the move to remote working, cybercriminals ‘prospered’ in 2020...

There was a 20% rise in cybersecurity threats compared with 2019 and an 80% surge in ransomware attacks in the third quarter.

Covid restrictions are still in place, and a move to a more flexible, hybrid working environment forecast post-pandemic - so greater security vigilance is essential.

1) PHISHING IS INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED

• Spear-phishinG
• Vishing (voice phishing)
• Smishing (SMS text phishing)
• Angle phishing (targeting ‘bad experience’ customers via social media)

2) SIMULATE AN ATTACK, BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE

• Expose your vulnerabilities
• Monitor your ability to detect a breach
• Measure the response to a breach
• Fix the weaknesses

3) TEST THE INTEGRITY OF YOUR SOFTWARE

• Shake up your testing program
• Don’t take the vendor’s word - test yourself
• Use robust, manual review techniques
• Test, test, and test again

4) TRAIN YOUR STAFF

• The most efficient way to limit risk
• Develop an ongoing training program
• Train, train, and train again

5) DON'T JUST CHECK EVERYTHING ONCE!

• Managing security is a continual process
• Build it into your IT calendar
• Make it a priority!