Data watchdog urges vigilance amid increased cyber threat

John Edwards, the information commissioner, has stressed that firms must step up their vigilance against cyber-attacks in the face of a heightened threat from Russian hackers.

The UK’s data watchdog has warned of a new era of security where instead of blacking out windows, people needed to maintain vigilance over their inboxes. This includes urging employees to report any suspicious emails rather than delete them.

There is increasing concern that Russian hackers could target Britain, with the imposition of sanctions by London on Moscow only heightening those fears.

The Information Commissioner’s Office has already witnessed a ‘steady and significant’ increase in cyber attacks against UK businesses over the past two years. Between July and December last year the ICO recorded 1,345 ‘cyber security incidents, including ransomware attacks and phishing attacks.

Edwards said: “We have picked up on that heightened threat environment and we think it’s really important to take the opportunity to remind businesses of the importance of security over the data that they hold. This is a different era from blacking out the windows and keeping the lights off. The threats are going to come in through your inbox.”