New Yorkers are suffering one of the world’s worst COVID-19 outbreaks, and decisive leaders have shifted to work-from-home capabilities to keep people safe and organizations operational. But such leadership has, unfortunately, come with a heightened risk.
For every employee that accesses an organization via the Cloud, hackers see a potential security gap. These digital burglars have launched schemes designed to prey on the fears of hard-working people. Cybercriminals appear to be banking on the fact the first-time remote access personnel will not have the necessary training or cybersecurity defenses in place to deter a data breach. In these troubling times, organizations in every sector must exercise hyper-vigilance to stay out of harm’s way from the virus and hackers.
Early research indicates that cybercriminals promptly began rolling out coronavirus-themed websites and email scams, also known as “phishing.” The initial strategy appears to be to follow the outbreaks and flood unsuspecting people with enticements. Some included COVID-19 testing kits, potential cures, and phony direct emails that mirrored well-known health organizations.
Every day people were targeted for credit card numbers, personal identification information, and bank accounts, among others. The shift to remote workforces and online learning created a cybersecurity gap to breach networks by opportunistic hackers. According to a CheckPoint Threat Intelligence research study, more than 4,000 coronavirus-themed domains have been registered since January, and they are reportedly 50 percent more likely to be laced with malicious software. These are emerging COVID-19 malware attacks surfacing from websites and email scams.
The COVID-19 scam websites often require you to provide personal or financial information. Once you input data and click a link, a malicious application spies, pilfers off data, or seizes control of the network.
It may come as something of a surprise. Still, some of the least prepared industries to pivot to work-from-home practices include government, banking, insurance, healthcare, education, and the legal field, among others. The conventional wisdom tended to be that in-house networks and workstations provided enhanced cybersecurity. Although that is no longer necessarily true, shifting to a Cloud-based system now requires new protocols. These rank among the best practices when working remotely.
Until the COVID-19 crisis wanes, remote workforces and learning will be standard practice. Given the surge in Cloud-based networks, work-from-anywhere trends, and potential for disruption, don’t be surprised if the pandemic ushers in a new live-work paradigm going forward.
If your organization needs to promptly increase remote capabilities to remain productive during the health crisis, the experienced professionals at LI Tech Advisors provide prompt IT services. We are ready to get your organization up and running and deliver enhanced cybersecurity to keep your network and valued team members safe. Contact us at 631-203-6359 for immediate assistance or to schedule your complimentary initial consultation.
Anthony has been in the MSP business since before the acronym existed. Managed IT once started as break-fix solutions and some light phone support.
Since then, he has seen the industry flourish into a landscape of platforms, cloud servers, software tools and AI . Tailoring network configurations and software stacks to the specific needs of each business.
In his current role, he focuses on proactive planning, ensuring clients can avoid potential issues altogether. This involves meticulous planning for enhanced business continuity, allowing swift resolution of any unforeseen challenges. What initially began as addressing "fires" through break-fix solutions has evolved into a proactive approach, ensuring that such issues are prevented from arising in the first place.
