In the past, cybersecurity threats tend to increase in times of crisis. Now, bad actors are already using the coronavirus pandemic to their advantage. Employers are beginning to ask employees to work from home, and there are already numerous articles on security concerns about remote access. And while it is certainly important to ensure remote access systems are properly secured, it is equally as important to understand the human factors that create certain security vulnerabilities. Mass confusion and panic often lead to faulty or rash decision making, which is precisely what scammers are banking on now. A study by Check Point, for instance, revealed that coronavirus-related web domains are 50% more likely to be malicious than other domains.
When considering the coronavirus and cybersecurity, it is important for employers to use cyber awareness training to ensure employees continue to think critically and use proper judgment online. Here are four key areas to help employees limit their risk of exposure:
Use Multi-Factor Authentication
Perhaps the most important measure you can put in place is to make sure that all remote users are required to use multi-factor authentication (MFA) when accessing your system.
Device Security
Businesses need to ensure all employees that are working from home are taking appropriate steps to keep sensitive information safe. Anyone using remote access needs to be trained in the use of essential endpoint protections. VPNs, for example, are extremely important to make sure logs can’t be sniffed out by others in the neighborhood.
Employees should also be reminded of basic measures to take with personal devices. Screen and application time-outs should be set up to limit the risk that unwanted eyes around the house can view sensitive information and communications.
To limit the impact of stolen or lost devices, all sensitive information should be fully encrypted.
Online communication
Employees should be updated about current phishing campaigns that are taking advantage of the confusion and panic surrounding the coronavirus. The World Health Organization recently released a statement warning of fake emails posing as the WHO to steal money, information, and credentials. According to The Wall Street Journal, the WHO is receiving daily reports of coronavirus-related phishing schemes.
Working remotely will also require expanded use of online communications such as email, video services, and phones. It is therefore important that all communications relating to business should only take place through company-approved communication services. It is difficult to monitor the security of personal and social media messaging services and should not be used for any business-related communications.
Reporting and Incident Response
Being aware of increased cyber threats is only half the battle. Employees also need to understand how and when to report any suspected incidents. Keep help desks up and running, and encourage employees to be overly cautious in reporting any suspicious emails or activity. Employees need to know that someone can help if they think any information is at risk.
Incident response teams should also be briefed on and prepared for any threats related to remote access work. Not only should response teams understand the current threats, everyone involved should have a clear understanding of how communication and responses will be carried out remotely. Because previous response simulations were probably conducted in-office, it is helpful to run a test response using only remote communication.
Communicate and Connect
Companies are ecosystems and healthy corporate ecosystems are a function of purpose, recognition, connection and intentional urgency. All of which feeds into employee actions, whether it involves cybersecurity issues or marketing or administration or service issues. Companies which do a better job of communicating what is going on in their organization and connecting with their remote staff and acknowledging their respective situations create a caring environment which helps everyone pay attention to little things – like perhaps not clicking on that strange link or hiding the fact they accidentally sent the wrong person confidential information.
Conclusion
Given the severity of the ongoing coronavirus crisis, bad actors are counting on an increase in confusion, panic, and fear to profit and cause further disruption. The coronavirus and cybersecurity concerns need to be considered, Above all else, employers need to do their part to ensure workers stay well-informed and secure. Working at home might mean we can dress a little more casually, it doesn’t mean we should be any less serious about threats online.