In recent years, high-profile cyberattacks have dominated the news, raising concerns about the security of our digital systems. Recent cyberattacks targeting government agencies, law enforcement, and healthcare providers have highlighted the potential consequences of data breaches.
One particularly vulnerable area is email, a common target for cybercriminals looking to steal sensitive information or gain access to networks.
Capita cyberattack and FCA's response
Take, for instance, the recent cyber-attack on Capita in March. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has contacted firms it regulates that outsource work to Capita, urging them to determine whether their customers' data was compromised.
Capita is one of the UK government's biggest suppliers, with £6.5bn of public sector contracts. Insurance companies which use Capita for administration, including FTSE 100 firms Aviva and Phoenix Group, were contacted by the FCA. Capita is still handling the fallout from the hack and has said only a small number of its computer servers were accessed. The FCA noted companies were responsible for alerting affected consumers if their data had been affected.
Rise of ransomware attacks targeting government agencies and law enforcement
The Dallas cyberattack also highlights the potential risk of ransomware attacks to investigations into mass shootings and other crimes.
In the case of the recent mass shooting in Allen, Texas, law enforcement officials were unable to retrieve information on police calls to the suspect's home due to the ransomware attack. This lack of information could hinder investigations into the suspect's history and motive, potentially impacting the ability to prevent future incidents.
With the rise of ransomware attacks targeting government agencies and law enforcement, it is crucial to prioritise cybersecurity measures to protect public safety and the integrity of criminal investigations.
Increasing threats to Healthcare Industry
Additionally, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting the healthcare sector, with the latest attack affecting a Sydney-based cancer treatment facility. This attack follows other recent incidents, such as the one on Medibank and Eastern Health.
According to a recent Microsoft report, the healthcare sector is one of the top targets for cybercriminals. Experts warn that cyber-attacks on health services pose life-threatening risks to patients and that cybercriminals are likely to continue targeting the health sector, motivated by the potential financial gain and the high stakes involved.
In light of these threats, businesses must take proactive steps to secure their email communications.
The importance of email security:
- Protecting sensitive information: Email is often used to exchange sensitive information, such as personal data, financial information, and business secrets. A breach of this information can have significant consequences, including financial loss and damage to reputation.
- Avoiding malware and phishing attacks: Cybercriminals use email to distribute malware and phishing attacks, which can infect systems, steal data, and compromise networks.
- Compliance requirements: Many industries, including healthcare and finance, have strict regulations regarding the security of sensitive information. Failure to comply can result in significant penalties.
- Use technology mindfully: Technology can be a great productivity tool but also a source of distraction and stress. Grace recommends using technology mindfully, setting boundaries around when and how we use it, and taking regular breaks from it.
Mail Manager is a solution developed by Arup to help businesses manage their emails with privacy and security in mind. While our software does not prevent malware or phishing attacks, by integrating with Outlook, Mail Manager seamlessly files, finds, stores, and shares emails to transform businesses' operations.
How Mail Manager helps email security:
- Mail Managers architecture includes a desktop product, mobile app, and web add-ins, with data and settings stored locally on the PC and protected by local disk encryption.
- Email storage and settings are encrypted when synced with Microsoft's servers, ensuring they remain secure and confidential.
- Mail Manager organises information by collections and locations, and sensitive emails can be saved in an area with restricted access rights. We mirror your existing IT set up, and you retain and store your own data. This ensures that only authorised users can access emails and attachments.
- Mail Manager's search function allows teams to find any email they have access to within two seconds, filter by specific projects, search across projects, or filter by the sender or content of the email, making it easier to track and audit email communications, which is critical for compliance purposes.
- Mail Manager provides full control over accessibility, visibility, and where emails are filed within the existing IT setup.
- Emails transferred to cloud storage systems like OneDrive, Teams, and third-party cloud storage partners are encrypted in transit using HTTPS.
Email security is more critical than ever, and Mail Manager offers a comprehensive solution to help ensure your emails remain secure. Book a demo to learn more about why Mail Manager is a reliable and effective way to protect sensitive information and ensure compliance with regulations.
