There is a significant decrease in the sheer number of ransomware attacks due to improved security, better backup strategies and faster data recovery measures. This has meant that the spray and pray approach is no longer effective for ransomware distribution. Although fewer ransoms are being paid, it doesn't mean less risk.

Previous approaches were exceptionally effective until business started improving their backup strategies. Attackers learned from this and pivoted their criminal enterprise with a change of strategy. Knowing that businesses are backing up, creating shadow copies and replicating to data recovery (DR) sites means that simply encrypting all the data is no longer a crisis, it is now just an irritation.

Cyber security and privacy risks should be the top priority for any business at present, especially whilst trying to accommodate all staff in their new remote working environments. In the rush to get everybody working from home, security probably wasn’t top of mind and this presents a major threat for many businesses and people working from home for the first time.

More concerning is the intensification of cyberattacks, unscrupulous cybercriminals exploiting vulnerable and unsuspecting home workers. Business owners haven't taken the correct security measures to ensure everyone is protected.

The South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) has warned that cybercriminals are exploiting the spread of Coronavirus for their own gain using “Coronamania” panic to spread Coronavirus scams.

It says these scams takes advantage of people’s concerns for their health and safety and pressure them into being tricked using social engineering. Social Engineering is manipulative and exploits human vulnerability because criminals know that the weakest link in the information security chain is the human being.

Dtex partner J2 has heralded new features to Dtex Intercept 6.0, a first-of-its-kind insider threat management solution that delivers always-on, human-centric security by proactively illuminating dangerous activity. The solution will help stop insider threats, prevent data loss and protect the workforce wherever they may be.

Offering unique ‘Indicators of Intent’ capabilities, Intercept 6.0 empowers cybersecurity teams with contextual awareness of workforce activities without invading personal privacy. Dtex Intercept 6.0 provides insight and delivers workforce cyber intelligence.

It also uncovers malicious and negligent behaviour well before an incident occurs, and provides a full audit trail after without invading employee privacy.

With many companies opting to let employees work from home as a measure to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, a cyber security expert has sounded a warning about the importance of data security.

“With many more workers outside the corporate boundaries, it is key to ensure compliance around data security. This includes issues like data encryption and remote backups,” said J2 Software CEO John McLoughlin.

“The process and need for improved cyber resilience is something that requires even greater vigilance as staff move out of the business and access corporate networks remotely.”

He said unsecured home networks, default passwords and excessive social media sharing were opening holes in business cyber security.

“With many employees working from home for the first time, there will be many new problems that might not have been addressed or maybe not even thought of,” said McLoughlin.

At work, employees were protected by secure Wi-Fi networks and operate behind company firewalls. However, the sudden move to home meant some employees are using laptops and desktops with no firewalls and accessing systems using open remote desktop sessions.