EDITOR ’ S QUESTION
JAMIE AKHTAR , CEO AND CO- FOUNDER OF CYBERSMART
The cost-of-living crisis is putting significant strain on both businesses and individuals alike to make ends meet . In fact , recent research by CyberSmart revealed that nearly a third of UK SME employers have had to freeze salaries , which , accounting for inflation , means a decrease in real wages . A further 11 % have even had to reduce
In order to avoid individuals going down this path , it is crucial that senior leaders check in with their staff , respond with empathy and offer support , where possible .
salaries altogether . On top of that , almost a quarter of SMEs have hit pause on recruitment , while 16 % are letting go of employees for budgetary reasons . This combination of employment and financial instability , alongside heavier workloads as fewer people are compelled to cover for those dismissed , is the perfect recipe for overworked , overwhelmed and resentful individuals .
Whether out of desperation or retaliation , some of the more tech-savvy among them may turn to illicit or illegal online behaviour . In fact , as many as 17 %
As many as 17 % of SME employers believe their staff will seek to harm the company ’ s reputation due to resentment over salary cuts / stagnation and / or layoffs .
of SME employers believe their staff will seek to harm the company ’ s reputation due to resentment over salary cuts / stagnation and / or layoffs ; and a fifth believe they will steal sensitive or proprietary data from the company to sell for a profit or for competitive advantage .
With the commoditisation of cybercrime , it has also become fairly straightforward for individuals to buy the tools and expertise they need to run a successful cyberattack – be it a ransomware or phishing campaign – and extort or manipulate others for money this way . Phishing kits on the Dark Web can cost as little as US $ 50 ; a small investment for , potentially , great reward .
In order to avoid individuals going down this path , it is crucial that senior leaders check in with their staff , respond with empathy and offer support , where possible . This could include pointing them in the right direction for government-backed or charitable resources . National Debtline , for instance , offers free , impartial financial advice , while Energy Savings Trust offers advice to reduce home energy usage and its associated costs .
From a technical standpoint , businesses should also implement clear policies and procedures for deprovisioning as well as limit employee data access privileges according to their role within the business . All data should also be encrypted and documents backed up . Last but not least , it is important that teams undergo regular security awareness training to instil best practices .
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