In an increasingly digital society, both individuals and businesses rely quite heavily on digital technologies. The increasing number of cyber security threats and attacks are potentially devastating both to individuals and businesses.
This threat has worsened since the recent invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Here, Dr Chitra Balakrishna, Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security at the OU, discusses the potential risks, and the best ways to safeguard against it:
“Protecting ourselves against cyber security risks is important under all circumstances. However, it is well known that hackers often exploit geopolitical events such as wars, and elections to accelerate and intensify their attacks on individuals and businesses.
“As the situation in Ukraine progresses, it is more vital now than ever to ensure that our cyber security practises are in place and functioning fully both for individuals and organizations.”
Chitra discussed how our growing reliance on technology, while beneficial, has led to vulnerabilities and more significant threats from cyber criminals:
“In our society, everything is digitised, from banking to governing to learning, to our basic utilities – our critical structures and services are all dependent on the digital infrastructure.
“The threat of cyber warfare is perhaps as dangerous and as imminent as a territorial military invasion. A large-scale cyber-attack could potentially cause similar or even more havoc and disruption to society and its people.”
Considering how we can defend ourselves against threats, Chitra highlighted some key areas that apply to individuals and businesses alike:
“It is important to ensure that the basic cyber hygiene practises are in place and functioning.
“When it comes to handling digital information on devices, ensure that your devices have the essential anti-virus and anti-malware software installed and are working.
“Ensure you apply discretion before you fall prey to any phishing attempts or social engineering attacks on your emails or social media. Businesses should make sure they apply additional guards when interacting with third-party applications or services.”
Thinking more specifically about businesses, proactive and reactive measures are needed to defend against potential attacks and minimise damage:
“It has been recommended that businesses follow advice provided by the National Cyber Security Centre in terms of proactive planning and ensure their critical information and data is protected with the utmost importance.
“Perhaps most vital is creating back up of all critical information and data and having a thorough and robust incident response plan that will be deployed in the event of an actual attack.
“Given the situation, businesses, especially critical organisations such as the NHS should prioritise necessary cyber security work and consider temporary boosts to their defences.
“It is also worth running robust awareness campaigns amongst workforces so they don’t fall prey to a malicious phishing attack that could potentially lead to a wider data breach.”
For individuals, while the threat of phishing and other cyber attacks is still prominent, we should also be vigilant against the spread of fake news:
“During the current climate and anytime of unrest and heightened security risks there will be a rise in fake news and misinformation.
“We should all apply discretion to any information we trust or spread, checking and verifying sources to ensure that they are reputable”.
Read more on the statement by Prof Tim Blackman, Vice-Chancellor of The Open University, standing in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
