The Russians know a thing or two about cyber security and how to keep their personal data safe. I’m sure Mr Putin’s no fan of online banking. But what can ordinary businesses do to make sure they don’t become a victim of cyber crime and lose the faith of their customers?
The Russian Security Services have bought a load of typewriters and lockable filing cabinets. For me this is a stand-out news item amongst all the leaks and “alternative facts”. Apparently, every typewriter has its own unique typeface, making it possible to link every document to the machine used to type it. I bet Hillary wished she’d thought of this wheeze.
Whilst the Russian State has worked out that the best form of defence from cyber attack is to run its affairs off line, for most organisations, lacking the Kremlin’s resources – (and foresight?), removing their dependence on the internet is not an option.
Our reliance on computers impacts every aspect of our work day. Technology, the very thing that’s meant to make our lives easy, is turning against us. About a quarter of UK internet users have fallen prey to phishing scams to steal personal details and one in six has fallen victim to other types of online crime. The Cabinet Office is struggling to put a figure on the cost of this to UK business, but it’s safe to say it runs into the billions of pounds every year.
Even a Devon town council’s fallen prey to hackers demanding a £3,000 ransom for the return of its allotment waiting list. Triggered by a town clerk innocently opening a “phishing” email, the cyber attack resulted in a virus being uploaded onto the council’s computer system, in the process wiping records and placing sensitive personal details of local residents in the hands of anonymous criminals.
As we move into the world of the Internet of Things, not even your toaster will be safe from geeky kids with idle fingers. Cyber crime stats peak during school holidays. Commenting on the opening of the National Cyber Security Centre World Wide Web inventor, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, says the government is “absolutely right” to be concerned about cyber security…even household objects are open to attack – “if you buy a webcam and plug it into the internet, you better put a password on it”.
Hacks into your systems will result in your business being paralysed by a ransomware virus or other malicious software. Your customers’ personal data is likely to be stolen and your brand will suffer reputation damage, as customers lose confidence in doing business with you.
