Cyber security can seem like a very dry subject, but Sam Parsons from the Regional Cyber Crime Unit of the South West Police made it anything but boring during the BAR Conference in Jersey.
Sam took the delegates on a whistle-stop tour of the risks of cyber crime and provided a wealth of information about how companies can protect themselves. Most of the information was simple, some might even say obvious, but many don’t do the simple, obvious things.
Advice from Sam included, for example, not logging on to public WiFi networks that don’t require any credentials. If you do, you can protect yourself by logging in using a VPN (Virtual Private Network). If you don’t have one, stick to your 4 or 5G network as this is secure. Don’t lose data on USB sticks and always make sure they are encrypted if you are taking them out of the office. Don’t ever plug in devices from people you don’t know or any you might find.
Passwords should be changed regularly and don’t use the same password multiple times: if you do, a hacker will have access to more of your data. The most secure type of password is three random words linked together. Alternatively use the first letters of every word in an easily memorable sentence. If you use a password manager to help generate and remember passwords, get it from a reputable organisation. Biometric access to devices is very secure but, should they be breached, cannot be changed.
Phishing is a common form of cyber crime ...
Photo: Sam Parsons.