Within the Events industry we specialise in, we have been made aware of 5 separate Cyber attacks on our clients which resulted in the businesses losing money, time and leaving them feeling vulnerable.
Cyber attacks happen in various different ways for example:
- An email hacker using an almost identical email address of a Senior member of staff within the business, asking for invoices to be paid. The recipient of the email follows the instruction, paying money into a fraudulent account.
- A hacker infiltrates the company computer system and re-sends altered invoices to clients for payment. The clients then pay the hacker's fraudulent account rather than the company, leaving both with a potential loss.
- A hacker gains access to the company computer system and locks down all features. They demand payment of a 'ransom' to release the system. This would usually happen at a poignant time of business where the client is likely to need to regain urgent access, such as the opening of a new show or when on the verge of a new contract.
- Not only can an attack happen from an outside source, but an internal error by a member of staff can cause a significant data breach. For example; losing an unsecured mobile device/laptop or sending sensitive information to the wrong person.