Hackers are using the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as an opportunity to steal or ransom data by luring users into clicking on malicious links in emails or social media posts about the virus, or in communications appearing to be from the “home office” while employees are working from home.

The surge in remote work increases the cyber risk to organizations, as strictly online communication makes it easier for cyber criminals to initiate social engineering schemes. Additionally, the rapidly changing work environment may cause an organization to relax or modify controls in order to continue business operations.

Here are some tips to help protect your organization:

• Instruct employees to
• be particularly cautious about phishing emails
• exclusively use work-provided VPNs, email accounts and computers
• be judicious about printing documents at home. Plan a shredding party when people return to work.
• immediately report all lost and stolen devices
• Ensure all employees have a phone list so communications can happen outside of the computer network.

BakerHostetler, our cybersecurity incident response experts for our financial institution insurance program, has established a Coronavirus Resource Center that can help answer your questions on cyber security and other pandemic related issues: Bakerlaw.com/Coronavirus-COVID-19