The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has caused an increase in both the likelihood and impact of cyber attacks, as organisations react rapidly to potentially significant operational and financial challenges.
We expect that many initial organisational responses to COVID-19 will have a net-negative impact on the cyber security posture of the business. This will be both as a result of existing risks being left unaddressed as security expenditure is cut and IT changes are frozen, and as we see new risks emerging.
Impacts of COVID-19 on cyber security: Focus on securing remote working
As the international response to COVID-19 continues to develop, we know that organisations are facing potentially significant challenges to which they need to respond rapidly. Read our 'COVID-19 Response Considerations' guidance for more information on how you can set up your COVID-19 response.
Managing the impact of COVID-19 on cyber security
The COVID-19 outbreak has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation, causing huge impact on people’s lives, families and communities. This has had an immediate effect on organisations, changing the ways employees work and bringing with it new cyber risks.
As the international response continues to develop, we know that organisations are facing potentially significant challenges to which they need to respond rapidly. Many organisations and employees are needing to rethink ways of working in light of considerable operational and financial challenges. Without appropriate considerations, this could fundamentally increase the risk of cyber security attacks.
We expect that many initial organisational responses to COVID-19 will have a net negative impact on the cyber security posture of the business. This will be both as a result of existing risks being left unaddressed as security expenditure is cut and IT changes are frozen, and as we see new risks emerging.
