Many boards still communicate sensitive internal governance messages via unsecure channels for communication. Diligent Corporation released a report that found 56 percent of board members use their personal email accounts for board communications. Even governance professionals and senior executives are also involved in this. This is a significant risk that needs to be addressed.
It is vital to convince board members of the importance of secure communication. This involves educating them about why their current methods leave them vulnerable to data breaches and helping them understand the consequences of those breaches in terms of lost operational time, the expense of defending against cyberattacks, as well as concerns over compliance violations.
Cybercriminals are attracted to boards because 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 is of significance to them. They are therefore prime targets for ransomware, which is a type of malware that allows criminals to threaten to release sensitive data until they are paid.
In order to prevent this from happening, it’s essential that the board considers adopting an administration platform which replaces emails and text messaging with a fortified system of record that utilizes encrypted data delivery and a specially-designed mobile app. This will eliminate the his explanation need to share confidential or sensitive information through unsecure email accounts or document systems that are managed by the organization’s IT teams and provides an independent platform that allows boards to lead even in times of crisis.