IT risks for surveyors

Cyber ​​crime is a rapidly growing phenomenon and represents a significant risk for companies in all sectors. However, many companies do not have the necessary measures to protect themselves and do not invest in training their staff who often find themselves unprepared regarding these issues. Meanwhile, hackers take advantage of these shortcomings every day, causing significant damage for profit.

Ransomware: what it is and how it can impact your business

Ransomware is a type of harmful malware that can encrypt, delete, or steal files, preventing you from accessing your data or computer unless you pay a ransom. The most common channels through which this malware spreads are also those that we often take most for granted: an email, a browser plug-in, downloading content, an inadequate or old anti-virus system.

During a ransomware attack, sensitive business data and personal data held about employees and customers are exposed to uncontrolled risks. Furthermore, due to ransomware’s crippling effect on IT systems, business competitiveness can be compromised due to lack of productivity and resulting financial losses.

What are the risks

Among the many professions at risk, we must also include that of surveyors.

Indeed, surveyors often handle high-value transaction data, have access to customer databases and a property’s security and management systems – all of which makes them an attractive target for cyber crime. Low investments in cybersecurity and lack of training among employees make companies increasingly vulnerable to a cyber attack. Furthermore, emerging technologies such as drones and BIM (Building Information Modelling) can also be hacked just like other computer systems. If they were used on high-value projects, a ransomware attack would cause very serious losses.

How to protect yourself

The more sophisticated ransomware attacks become, the more surveyors need to take a proactive approach to managing cyber risk.

During work it is necessary to:

• Back up your data;
• Use antivirus software to ensure network security;
• Regularly patch operating systems and applications;
• Use strong passwords;
• Have a comprehensive insurance policy;

To deal with the new dangers posed by Cyber ​​Risk, several specific and dedicated insurance policies have been created in recent years. Lokky’s Cyber ​​Risk policy is designed to provide a simple response to the growing IT risk to which surveyors are subjected.