Cybersecurity Awareness | Morrison & Foerster

During Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2021, Morrison & Foerster’s renowned Privacy + Data Security Group wants to help you identify risks and make sure you and your company are prepared for a potential major security breach or ransomware attack.

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“Emerging cyber threats require engagement from the entire American community to create a safer cyber environment—from government and law enforcement to the private sector and, most importantly, members of the public.”
– the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (“CISA”)

There’s no question that the pandemic has increased companies’ vulnerability to cyberattacks. More companies’ employees are working remotely, and thieves are leveraging that change—as well as public fear—to conduct hacking campaigns. Some of the more common attack methods include:

Ransomware: Ransomware has exploded. While 2020 has been dubbed the year of ransomware, 2021 looks to be even worse. Organizations of every type and every size are being impacted.
Business email compromises: Email compromises trick employees into making fraudulent business payments, often by compromising the account of and impersonating a colleague or vendor.
Malicious apps: People working from home tend to jump among personal and company-owned devices. Meanwhile, more and more fraudulent mobile applications are being added to app stores, where they can be downloaded and compromise users’ devices.
Videoconference bombing: Because employees have been working remotely and have not been able to meet in person, the use of videoconferences has risen significantly. So too has the disruption of videoconferences with pornographic, hateful, or threatening images and content.
Scams and fraud targeting individuals: The FBI warns of social media messages, emails, and phone calls that seek to scam people for money, or to phish account access, under the guise of purported COVID-19 testing, financial relief efforts, or medical equipment.

Morrison & Foerster is uniquely positioned to provide insight and counsel on the various facets of cyberattack preparedness and response. Our market-leading Global Privacy + Data Security team has decades of collective experience helping clients navigate these and other pressing issues. Visit our new Privacy + Data Security Litigation practice page to learn how our team can help your company with potential litigation arising from a breach.