The ALS Group Risk Management Articles

Ransomware seems to be everywhere and is one of the latest cyber crime tactics being utilized by cyber criminals to extort money from companies. This malicious code can lock or encrypt your network files or PC until a hefty fee is paid. It can infect your PC, server, network files, and or backup systems and can enter your network through an infected email attachment, downloaded file, or a vulnerability in a network service.

The breadth of data breaches is widening and now your personal computer network may be a target. Company executives, small business owners, investors, and others who tend to access sensitive or financial data from their home computer or mobile device may be at risk for a personal data breach.

The adage that information is power seems to carry more weight now than ever before. Healthcare is moving towards data driven analytics, mobile banking is hitting its stride, and sports at all levels are utilizing advanced statistics to improve competition. However, one major downfall is that all this data must be stored somewhere, thereby creating a risk of breach to the data holder. Hackers are well aware that information is power and data breaches seemingly occur at non-stop rates.

It’s everyone’s favorite time of year again.  The department stores and commercials have already begun to advertise Christmas gifts, and it is not even Thanksgiving.  As exciting as the holidays can be, we sometimes forget to think about the risks that go hand in hand with  the holiday season, including credit card hacking and fires starting from decorations or cooking.

Home Depot’s data breach is the largest retail breach we’ve seen yet. Last week, Home Depot publicly stated that in addition to the 56 million credit card accounts compromised, approximately 53 million e-mail addresses were stolen as well. The issue here isn’t the addresses themselves, but the malicious use the addresses will be put to.

Data breaches are a very serious threat to companies and individuals; their occurrence and impact is increasing drastically year over year. Hackers are looking to steal your financial data, personal information, and intellectual property.  Often, the financial and reputational impact of a breach can be disastrous for an organization.