There have been many reports of cyber criminals using the COVID-19 pandemic to trick users into installing cyber viruses, purchasing false products and/or divulging sensitive personal or business information. Whilst this trend is disturbing it is also being combined with a massive and global shift to employees working from home which in turn exposes security vulnerabilities into a wide range of home devices and networks. Although these risks are evolving, this report outlines some of the current cyber scams, the shift to working from home and immediate recommendations for businesses with staff working from home.

Contents

Key takeaways

Introduction

Global increase in COVID-19 based scams and cybercrime

Work from home set to increase rapidly

Immediate cyber security recommendations for businesses with staff working from home

Organisational Leadership – Six Key Questions

• Q1: What data is important?
• Q2: What are the potential costs of a loss of data?
• Q3: Is the organisation aware of the risks?
• Q4: Is there a plan to deal with a cyber incident?
• Q5: Do we have the right resources?
• Q6: Do we have the right reporting metrics?

List of charts/tables

Figure 1. Types of COVID-19 scams being reported to the ACCC

Figure 2. Spam SMS – COVID-19 message with website link

Figure 3. COVID-19 related spam email

Figure 4. Coronavirus related malware and spam attacks in Q1 2020

Figure 5. Website showing coronavirus map with malware contained behind the website

Figure 6. With the recent events surrounding Coronavirus, are you expecting to work from home and/or increase your number of days working from home?

Figure 7. Do you feel your home broadband service is suitable for working from home?

Figure 8. Do you plan to upgrade your home broadband service to better support your work from home?