Are Pension Companies Under Cyber Attack?

Recent cyber attacks on The Pensions Ombudsman and pensions administrator Capita hitting the headlines recently, might well lead you think so.

The truth is that all companies can be subjected to a Cyber Attack, which can result in the loss or theft of data. Currently, the most common type of attack involves Ransomware. This occurs when a system user clicks on a link in an email or a website which enables the attacker to encrypt company and client data. The attacker will then look to secure a ransom fee to provide the decryption key needed to recover the data. The attacker may also steal a copy of the data and put it up for sale on the Dark Web. Key Questions your organisation needs to ask are:

1.      Could your company survive a ransomware attack?

2.     Are you confident your IT systems are appropriately configured to prevent such an attack on your company and client data?

The impacts of a ransomware attack not only affect you! Your clients’ personal information is also at risk, which may inevitably garner the attention of the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) as a GDPR breach. This may also have significant impacts on your reputation as a trusted provider and thereby future business volumes.

At Data-Board, we specialise in guiding our growing body of clients through the process of attaining Cyber Essentials certification.

Cyber Essentials is a UK Government scheme run via the Nation Cyber Security Centre in partnership with IASME. Although no one can guarantee you will never suffer a Cyber Attack, the scheme is estimated to protect companies against 80% of known attacks.

The process of certification guides you through 5 key technical control areas and Data-Board’s qualified consultants will guide you through each of the requirements, at a pace that suits you and your organisation.

Get in touch and we will be able to provide a quote to provide consultancy to support you through to achieving  Cyber Essentials certification.