Many boards continue to communicate sensitive internal governance messages through insecure communication channels. A recent report by Diligent Corporation found that 56 percent of directors use personal email accounts for communications with the board, and even governance professionals and C-level executives do the same. This is a major risk that needs to be addressed.
It’s crucial to convince board members of the importance of secure communications. This means educating them on the reasons their current practices expose them to data breaches and helping them understand what it will cost in terms of lost time, cyberattacks, and compliance violations.
Cyber criminals are attracted to boards due to the fact that they have access to sensitive information that is valuable to them. The hackers often target prominent individuals like board directors and top executives because they have access to sensitive information that has significance to them. They are therefore a prime target for ransomware, where criminals threaten to release sensitive data until they are paid.
To avoid this, the board should consider adopting a system for governance that replaces text and email messages with a fortified record system that makes use of encrypted data transmission, as well as a specifically-designed mobile application. This eliminates the necessity to share confidential or private information via unsecure email or document management systems managed by IT departments of the company. It also provides a platform that is independent which will allow boards to continue to lead during times of crisis.