Free Online Health Check Will Help Companies Assess Cyber Security Risks

LONDON - Sept. 17, 2013 - PRLog -- London - Alarmed at the serious increase in the level of cyber crime being reported, City-based security specialist Fifth Step has today announced its Cyber Security Health Check, a free-to-use online tool that allows organisations to assess their exposure to cyber security risks.

Fifth Step’s launch is timely, with the recent study by UK Department for Business Innovation and Skills* showing that incidents of cyber attack are rising and all types and sizes of companies are potential targets. The survey revealed that 78% of companies surveyed report being attacked by an unauthorised and unknown third party in the previous 12 months. Far more worrying was that in the last year, 14% of the companies studied reported serious breaches in their security processes that had allowed unauthorised third parties to access intellectual property, sensitive information and other confidential data.

Designed to help address this rise in cyber criminality, Fifth Step’s online Cyber Security Risk Health Check provides an area-­by-­area assessment to use as a blueprint for helping to mitigate corporate risk and exposure. After completion, a Fifth Step analyst will provide participants with valuable input to help them identify security vulnerabilities in their business. This is being provided free of charge until the end of the year.

According to Darren Wray, Fifth Step’s CEO, “It’s a fact that cyber security is on the rise and is now a serious issue for UK companies. Several recent high profile incidents have raised awareness, but the reality is these are just the tip of the iceberg. Our experience has shown that many companies struggle with knowing how best to assess their exposure to risk.”

He continued: “Worryingly, the costs associated with such incidents are rising. In the last 12 months, the cost to larger companies has risen to between £450,000 and £750,000 per incident and continues to increase. Spending a few minutes completing our Cyber Security Risk Health Check could prove invaluable in reducing the risks that companies are facing. We are trying to help companies put effective measures in place to reduce the risk to their businesses.”

The Fifth Step Cyber Security Health Check focuses on a number of key areas such as the Secure Configuration, Information Risk Management, User Account Management and Out-of-Office Working, allowing firms to better understand their risks across the wide spectrum that cyber security covers.

Necessarily, access to Fifth Step’s Cyber Security Risk Health Check is by invitation only. Companies wishing to undertake this confidential health check will need to complete an online registration form and provide verifiable company contact information. The results of the Fifth Step Cyber Security Risk Health Check will be presented in a detailed report directly to the invited participants within two working days.

Companies interested in registering for the free Fifth Step Cyber Security Health Check should visit:
www.fifthstep.com/cybersecurityhealthcheck.

* The UK Department for Business Innovation and Skills 2013 Information Breaches Survey.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About Fifth Step:
Headquartered in the UK, Fifth Step has offices in London, Bermuda and New York, providing strategic transatlantic services for the insurance, reinsurance and financial services sector specialising in business and IT alignment, corporate governance and compliance.

Media Contact & Information:

Alan Bartlett, Ela Beach Media

e: alan.bartlett@fifthstep.eu

t: +44 (0)7502 316540 or +44 (0)20 7566 2186

Spokespeople, including Fifth Step's CEO, Darren Wray, are available for comment and interviews on cyber security and related issues.