Net Loss - Web criminals pose growing menace to your business

PRESTON, U.K. - Nov. 30, 2015 - PRLog -- Business large and small need to guard against ever-growing cyber-crime in the UK.

Each cyber-security breach costs small businesses £65,000 to £115,000, say Government statistics. Plus companies can be fined for loss of personal data and so taking preventative steps sooner rather than later is a sensible precaution

According to a 2014 report by the Centre for Strategic International Studies, 93% of large organisations and 87% of small businesses experienced a cyber-breach during the previous 12 months.

Online attacks on Scottish businesses by Russian gangs and the high profile hacking of global media giant Sony are two recent examples.

Simple steps can cut the likelihood of being a victim. Global insurer Travelers has published a paper advising organisations to enhance their online security by:

♦ Installing and frequently updating high quality anti-virus software.

♦ Introducing sophisticated passwords incorporating letters, numbers and symbols and ensuring that all corporate passwords remain strictly confidential.

♦ Regularly backing up data and encrypting data offline using devices such as CDs, DVDs, USB sticks and portable hard drives.

♦ Avoiding the dangers from phishing emails by hovering the cursor over email addresses to ensure they are correct before opening any messages. Emails and attachments should not be opened if there are any doubts.

♦ Adopting IT policies that prevent passing on private details via email and social media accounts.

♦ Checking website addresses are spelt as correctly. Slightly amending website addresses is a tactic often employed by cyber criminals.

The full paper along with other risk management details can be downloaded here http://www.travelers.co.uk/risk-management/small-business-saturday.aspx

Update from the Key Insurance Group: Commercial insurance