Will your IT systems cope?

The main issues around COVID-19 and the use of technology?

Working from home

The sudden increase in working from home has already presented problems for many, with some systems already creaking at the seams.

Corporate networks, those who are not used to the majority of their staff connecting remotely, are experiencing unreliability, while internet service providers (ISPs) have come under increasing pressure to lift bandwidth caps so that remote workers are not cut-off or experience slow connectivity.

Business continuity plans typically allow a subset of employees to work from home, with work also being distributed to other locations as employees travel between. Now, however, the spread of COVID-19 will require broader remote working authorisations.

Software

To facilitate home working, it's likely that businesses will need to increase teleconference and video conference capacity. This may result in the introduction of new technology such as Microsoft Teams, Slack; Google Hangouts or Zoom.

Not all remote employees will have the equipment or skills required either. For instance, most households are likely to have only one WIFI router which is used for multiple purposes.

Most importantly however businesses must have a fundamental understanding of how domestic equipment affects information security and data protection. This will highlight what risks may be introduced and the information your employees need to control these.

It's also necessary to understand what effects the increased range of equipment will have on the IT team's ability to provide helpdesk support, particularly around securing devices and the information on those. Some employees may also want to connect their personal devices to the network which creates further risks.

Cyber-attacks

We have already seen a range of cyber-attacker seeking to exploit COVID-19. The latest example was The U.S. Health and Human Services Department which suffered a cyber-attack on its computer system.

We have labelled this new trend "Fearware", warning that victims may be more susceptible to being tricked or scammed during times of global uncertainty. "COVID-19" is now a popular discussion topic on criminal forums on the dark web.

Get in touch

If you have any concerns about protecting your businesses IT systems during this time of uncertainty or would like to talk through the measures you already have in place, please do not hesitate to get in touch through the form below.