EDITOR’S QUESTION
HOW CAN BUSINESSES
BOLSTER THEIR
CYBER DEFENCES IN
LIGHT OF INCREASED
ATTACKS DURING THE
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS?
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Nearly three quarters of business decision makers (71%) believe that
the shift to 100% remote working during the COVID-19 crisis has
increased the likelihood of a cyber breach, according to new data
released by cybersecurity company, Centrify, a leading provider of identitycentric
privileged access management solutions.
“
73% OF
BUSINESSES
HAVE GIVEN
STAFF EXTRA
TRAINING ON
HOW TO REMAIN
CYBERSAFE
WHEN WORKING
REMOTELY.
The data, obtained via a poll of 200 senior business decision-makers in
large and medium-sized UK companies conducted by independent polling
company, Censuswide, on behalf of Centrify, also revealed that 46% have
already noted an increase in phishing attacks since implementing a policy
of widespread remote working. The polling took place on March 26–27, as
the UK government announced much stricter lockdown policies to tackle the
Coronavirus (COVID-19), including urging all employees to work from home
where possible.
The research also found that 79% of business decision makers have
increased their cybersecurity procedures to manage high volumes of remote
access over the next three months. Similarly, 73% of businesses have given
staff extra training on how to remain cybersafe when working remotely, with
specific training around verifying passwords and login credentials.
The survey also noted additional fears that IT systems are at risk, with over
half (53%) saying they believe that privileged IT admin remote access is at
risk of security breach.
Andy Heather, VP, Centrify, said: “Cybercriminals will no doubt attempt to
seize the opportunity presented by the all-out expansion of remote workers,
many of whom have not been proficiently trained in even the most basic
of cybersecurity measures. Therefore, it is essential that businesses and
employees remain vigilant during these challenging times.”
34 INTELLIGENTCIO www.intelligentcio.com