In this article, learn what information security means amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Pandemic & How We Work
No doubt you should agree how the pandemic brings a great deal of toll in people’s lives in a number of ways.
While society is protecting itself from the spread of the virus. The vulnerability of information systems is also increasing at risk. Thus, resulting in thousands of cybercrime reports and millions of dollars compromised.
Who is affected by these cybercrimes?
Everyone in any industry is affected by the rise of cybercrime cases. After all, in any industry, we deal with data. May it be financial, personal, corporate, or intellectual data, for instance. Moreover, in today’s business, data means money. Yes, which makes data the new dollar.
What Information Security Means Today
As mentioned, cybercrime is increasing its toll on business industries of all sorts. So what does information security mean for us today?
Protection Against Any Cyber Risk
Due to the pandemic, many rumors spread about the coronavirus. In this time of initial confusion, cybercriminals are at work through big doors of opportunities.
For example, in the light of the pandemic, people are desperate for new information. May it be updates and case reports, for instance. Thus making people easier to misinform. One way of doing so is by spreading malicious links.
Did it happen?
Yes, it did. In January, for instance, the spread of fraudulent emails about the virus drastically takes its toll. For example, a Russian cybersecurity company found 403 of its customers being involved out of the 500 instances.
Certainly, information security makes its way to protecting organizations and their users from any of these fraudulent attacks. Without it, data breaches can easily make their way to a company no matter how big and stable its systems are.
Remote Work Protection
In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic also encourages more remote work arrangements. Although this presents to be physically safe, the contrary appears when it comes to cyber safety.
The rise of remote work arrangements further increases the risks of cybercrime.
Why?
Using personal devices accessing corporate data and systems creates vulnerability. Because a personal device may not have the same robust security as corporate devices have. Which makes hackers easily access sensitive data.
In addition, IT staff and teams are not available when you are at home. So in case a suspicious email or link appears, you may be left curious and self-sufficient. But this only furthers the case of vulnerability.
So what can help?
This brings to light the importance of having a remote access policy in an organization’s ISP, for instance. This policy can guide employees on how they should make use of corporate accounts while working at home. Also, being uniform in protocols can prevent data leakage out of data misuse or mishandling.
Moreover, today, making IT services and teams more readily available even online greatly helps. Perhaps increasing communication between employees and teams can help combat these risks amidst the crisis.
