Kingsley Hayes MD at data breach and cybercrime specialist Hayes Connor Solicitors
By Legal Futures’ Associate Hayes Connor Solicitors
The Covid-19 pandemic continues to cause significant disruption to businesses. Cybersecurity should remain a priority concern according to data breach and cybercrime specialist Hayes Connor Solicitors.
The global State of Email Security Report 2019, published by Mimecast, showed that 94% of organisations had experienced a phishing attack; 41% saw an increase in internal threats / data leaks, and 53% had experienced a ransomware attack disrupting business.
Kingsley Hayes, managing director at data breach and cybercrime specialist Hayes Connor Solicitors, said: “The figures are unfortunately unsurprising. During Covid-19, it is likely that these figures will increase unless organisations take substantial cybersecurity measures with regular staff training and data protection awareness at the heart of their strategy – particularly while most continue to work from home.
“The Mimecast research found that 39% of the organisations that had suffered an impersonation attack had lost data as a result, 29% suffered a direct financial loss and 28% experienced a loss of customers. The pandemic is a paradise for cybercriminals with figures already showing a steep increase in opportunistic activity.
“Two thirds (66%) of businesses in the professional services sector reported an increase in impersonation attacks last year according to Mimecast findings.
“The current health crisis presents multiple threats to organisations. Law firms are a prime target for cybercriminals in ordinary times with the vast quantity of both confidential information, and client monies held, a rich reward for successful attacks. The pandemic increases the vulnerability of legal practices unless cybersecurity is considered a strategic priority.
“The value of investing in regular staff training and data protection awareness programmes cannot be underestimated at this critical time, and beyond.”
Hayes Connor Solicitors is a consumer data breach and cybercrime practice acting both for individuals and in large group actions. The firm is currently representing thousands of claimants in data breach action against a number of global and national organisations including British Airways, Equifax, Ticketmaster and Dixons Carphone amongst others.
For more information about Hayes Connor Solicitors, visit the website at www.hayesconnor.co.uk
