Black Friday is an informal name used to describe the day after Thanksgiving and is today regarded world-wide as the official start to the Christmas holiday season, and one of the busiest shopping days of the year, with many retailers offering sales and discounts.
Cyber Monday is referred to the day following the US holiday of Thanksgiving, promoted by online retailers as a day for exceptional bargains. But with these hugely anticipated and popular days there comes opportunities for cyber criminals to strike.
As a result, retailers must take steps to protect themselves, and their customers, in their cyber security practices. Here are a few tips to help stay safe:
➢ Being able to spot scams – your best defence is an informed workforce. Staff should be kept up to date with how to spot and report scams.
You can find guidance on how to spot a scam on the NCSC website.
➢ Limiting damage – preventing, detecting or disrupting the attack at the earliest opportunity limits the impact for financial loss and reputational damage.
Visit our previous blog on managing a cyber-attack for advice.
➢ A recovery plan – when something like a cyber attack does happen, it can be difficult to know how to react. Naturally, you will want to resolve the problem as quickly as possible so you can resume business as normal.
For guidance on implementing a recovery plan for your business visit the NCSC’s Small Business Guide: Response & Recovery.
The NEBRC, part of a police-led network set up to help support and protect businesses across our region from the growing issue of cyber crime, has recently launched a 24/7 emergency response service for any business or individual who find themselves under a cyber-attack. The service offers free, initial support that could help to lessen the impact of a cyber-attack, right from the outset.
If you would like further information on how you can stay safe online, please contact us at [email protected]