COVID-19 crisis increases risk of cybercrime

BSA releases free e-book on cybersecurity in the age of COVID-19

Titled “COVID-19 and Cyber Threats in Southeast Asia", the e-book details the challenges that have arisen for cybersecurity in the ASEAN region since the COVID-19 crisis began and offers advice on how to deal with them.

The e-book describes how many businesses in the region are increasingly exposed to online threats due to disruptions caused by the virus, primarily the increase in employees working outside company networks. Cybercriminals – those who use networks and computers to engage in damaging illegal activities – are using opportunities created by the shake-up in business as usual to their own benefit via methods such as email phishing, malware, disguised apps, and detection of insecure networks.

BSA’s e-book offers descriptions of cybercrime tactics and advice for executives on protecting their employees from becoming victims, such as using secure software for all business operations – from communications to network security – and training employees to identify potential phishing attempts. It also features detailed statistics gathered from various studies – including those by BSA members IBM and McAfee – on the impacts of cybercrime and data breaches in general on businesses, as well as examples of severe recent cases in the ASEAN region. A helpful glossary of cybersecurity terms and links to free software offers by BSA members round out the e-book.

“We hope this document will act as a guide to point businesses and their staff working remotely in a secure and sustainable direction, for the sake of their customers and employees, their own longevity, and the economic recovery of their respective countries,” said Tarun Sawney, senior director at BSA.

“COVID-19 and Cyber Threats in Southeast Asia” is available for free download at https://cyberfraudprevention-bsa.com in English, Vietnamese, and Bahasa languages.