In 2020, when the world was struck with a global pandemic, we all had to adapt to a new status quo. But while we navigated the world of masks and hand sanitisers, employers had to proactively look into sustaining a profitable business while keeping us, their employees safe. As a result, everyone was forced to work from home on mass.  Now, three years later remote working is here to stay, with the benefits simply too appealing for both parties. But despite these advantages, cyber security has been an uphill battle for employers due to the greater exposure to online dangers that working from home brings.

Why do we need to be more careful when working from home?

A remote workforce comes with dangers, as employees rely on their home networks – and sometimes their own devices to finish their daily tasks. And with the use of an unprotected home or even a café network comes an increased vulnerability. It is always hard to predict who else has access to our search history, personal or client data, or even passwords! We are far more vulnerable to cyber-attacks without the security protections that office systems afford us – such as firewalls and blacklisted IP addresses.

Phishing Emails

A recent study found that there has been a 600% increase in reported phishing emails since February last year, with many of them cashing in on the lack of communication between employees. Phishing emails are easily discussed when sitting next to a co-worker helping eliminate the threat, however, when working from home it is much easier to be misled rather than pick up the phone and make sure everything is in order. It is not a secret, that humans are the weakest link in the cybersecurity chain. In fact, most cyber incidents (>75%) involve some kind of human error or oversight.  This includes everything from being tricked into giving over your username and password, reusing passwords and making it easier for an account to be compromised, not following up wire transfer requests with a phone call, or even losing devices containing sensitive information.

Ransomware

Once a hacker knows that the phishing email was successful, ransomware can be utilised. Ransomware is designed to deny a user from accessing files on their computer/network, for hackers to then demand a ransom for access to their files. With Cyber policies covering for business interruption, insurers often find that the money demanded is smaller than the business interruption costs and therefore pay the hackers in the required digital currency which is then untraceable. More often than not, hackers will know every detail about the business they’re attacking and are almost always likely to extract money from an insurer as they know how much the business interruption costs will be. However cyber criminals do not just attack people with cyber insurance but specifically target businesses that aren’t.

What does cyber insurance cover?

• Cyber incident response costs (including IT, forensics, legal, breach notification and crisis communications)
• Cybercrime (including social engineering, theft of personal funds, cyber extortion, ransomware attacks and unauthorised use of computer resources through crypto-jacking or botnetting)
• System damage and business interruption (including full data re-creation, income loss and extra expense, consequential reputational harm and hardware repair and replacement)
• Network security and privacy liability (including management liability arising from cyber events and regulatory fines and penalties)
• Media liability (including defamation and intellectual property rights infringement)
• Technology errors and omissions
• Court attendance costs

Unfortunately, cyber risk is an exposure that no modern business can escape, and the financial impact of cybercrime, business interruption, and privacy events are now felt within all industries. With solutions designed for businesses of all sizes, our cyber products provide cutting-edge, innovative cover to protect against the very real and growing threats of the digital age.

Why use Clegg Gifford for your Cyber Security Needs?

Not only do we have access to syndicates like other Lloyd’s brokers, we utilise a combination of syndicates, composite markets and MGAs who are aiming to disrupt the status quo.

We have an extensive history within the motor industry and as such, we can cater for all commercial requirements under one roof. In many instances, we blend our income to support multiple placements.

Please do not hesitate to email Londonmarket@cginsurance.com for a competitive quote today or call us on 0203 946 4210.