Many boards still send sensitive internal governance communications through unsecure communication channels. A recent report from Diligent Corporation found that 56 percent of directors utilize their personal email removing malware android accounts for communications with the board, and even governance professionals and C-level executives do the same. This is a significant risk that needs to be addressed.
It’s important to ensure that board members are onboard with the necessity of secure communication. This involves educating them about why their current methods leave them vulnerable to data breaches and helping them understand the costs of such breaches in terms of lost operational time, cost of dealing with a cyberattack, and concern about compliance violations.
Boards should be aware that they are attractive targets for cybercriminals. Hackers target high-profile executives such as executives and directors of boards since they have access to sensitive data that is valuable to them. They are therefore a prime target for ransomware attacks, where criminals threaten to release sensitive information unless they receive a payment.
To prevent this from happening, the board could consider adopting a platform for governance that replaces text and email messages with a fortified record system that makes use of encrypted data transmission and a custom-built mobile application. This will eliminate the need to share confidential or valuable information via unsecure email or document systems that are managed by the IT teams of the company. It also provides an independent platform which will allow boards to continue leading during times of crisis.
