IT
Warning – Damien Harrison says businesses need to be extra wary about cyber-scams at Christmas .
Bondgate IT gives Tees businesses the gift of online safety at Christmas
Cybersecurity stocking fillers from Darlington-based firm
WORDS : GRAEME ANDERSON PICTURES : STUART BOULTON
Bondgate IT has reminded businesses that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year for scammers as well as shoppers .
And the Darlington-based technology provider has tips and advice to help ensure the season of goodwill and giving does not extend to offering presents to organised criminals .
People generally are more aware these days that when there are presents to be purchased , there ’ s often an online pickpocket hoping to take advantage – even if they ’ re not entirely sure how to guard against it .
But while the scams can be costly for unwary individuals , they can be potentially catastrophic for businesses .
And companies are rarely more vulnerable than at a time of year when they are often at their busiest or most stretched .
Damien Harrison , director of operations at Bondgate IT , says the threat of hacking and scamming is a constant one , but the festive season is when it goes into overdrive .
Thankfully , there are simple precautions businesses can take , and individuals too , to dramatically reduce the chances of becoming a victim .
“ Online fraud is a multi-million-pound operation in the UK ,” said Damien . “ And businesses are under even more threat than individuals – ransomware , for example , is a field that ’ s really growing , where the scammers target the key systems of companies and demand money .
“ They ’ re everywhere too – we ’ re seeing them on WhatsApp groups , on Telegram and numerous other platforms – targeting people and businesses who are under most pressure and with very little time at Christmas .”
For both businesses and individuals , Damien recommends an approach that is as simple as ABC – A : Assume nothing . B : Believe no one and C : Check everything .
“ I think one of the key messages to people is to slow down – hard though that might be .
“ Think of it as trying to cross a very busy road – no matter how much of a rush you ’ re in , you ’ ll still check everything for safety before you cross , and it ’ s the same with information technology .
“ This is a key time of the year for invoice fraud to be carried out because the criminals know that over Christmas there are often reduced staff at the office .
“ It can be a time of ‘ all hands to the pump ’, and there tends to be a mentality of the need to get stuff done – but the smartest approach is always ABC .”
Damien points out that the biggest risk to any company comes from unwary staff and therefore says it is important to keep on top of training , so workers are not only kept up to date with best practice but also reminded that cyberscamming is an ongoing issue and needs vigilance .
128 | Tees Business