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AI and Other Scams: Protecting Your Business in a Digital World
While most people associate cyber-crimes with data breaches of big corporations like the latest Qantas hacking, the Tope 3 industries being targeted are Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 17%; Retail Trade 10% & Media & IT 9%.
Ransomware is the biggest single threat to businesses of all sizes. It requires minimal technical expertise, is low cost and can cause management significant problems.
Why scams are getting harder to spot
Thanks to artificial intelligence, scammers can now mimic voices, replicate logos, and create incredibly convincing emails or text messages. It’s not uncommon to hear of someone transferring money to what they thought was a legitimate request – only to find out it was a scam.
Some of the most common threats right now include:
- Fake invoices or payment redirects targeting small business owners;
- Personal identity theft via hacked email or social accounts;
- Ransomware attacks locking people out of their own devices or IT systems; and
- Deepfake video or voice scams impersonating staff, family or executives.
Impacts to your business & Customers
Impacts include the time and effort in notifying customers and authorities of the crime, and costs related to potentially being locked out of IT systems and dealing with ransom requests. In additional, money and assets are frequently being stolen by cyber criminals, who gain access to IT systems and confidential information.
Cyber insurance and Risk Management
Cyber insurance is a key to managing and reducing the impact of a cyber incident or attack. There are lots of free cyber risk management resources available to assist in minimising the likelihood of a successful attack, including from the Australian Cyber Security Centre.
Cyber insurance widely available and there are a lot of package options to meet all types of business needs and budgets. We recommend the following covers be considered:
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Incident response, including specialists to identify, stop the attack and restore systems;
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Cover for loss of business income, as well as extra costs due to the attack;
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Crisis management and Consumer notification costs and ongoing credit monitoring costs;
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Cyber extortion management and fees;
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Legal defence costs and damages arising from loss of personal or confidential information;
To learn more about how cyber insurance can be part of your Cyber Risk Management and reduce the impact of a cyber attack on your business and customers, speak to an Adroit Risk Adviser today.
