- Technology
- November 21, 2016
Cyber Attacks - The Legal Implications for Businesses
By Lawbite Team
- Two-thirds of large businesses experienced a cyber breach or attack in the past year
- Nearly seven out of ten attacks on all firms involved viruses, spyware or malware.
- In some cases the cost of cyber breaches and attacks to business reached millions, but the most common attacks detected involved viruses, spyware or malware that could have been prevented using the Government’s Cyber Essentials scheme.
- Only about a third of all firms, had formal written cyber security policies and only 10% had an incident management plan in place.
- Communications Act 2003
- Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003
- Data Protection Act 1998
- Computer Misuse Act 1990
- Official Secrets Act 1989
- Businesses should know steps to review their cybersecurity plans. If a business does not have a cybersecurity plan, then it needs to put on in place. Many businesses are failing to protect themselves from the potential costs associated with a cyber attack and are not complying with their legal obligations under data protection and cyber security laws.
- Get a cyber essentials certificate. Cyber Essentials is a Government scheme which is said to help prevent the vast majority of cyber attacks.
- Protect your organisation against common cyber threats
- Show your customers you take this issue seriously
- Enable you to bid for Government contracts.
- The Government has created a new National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) offering industry a ‘one-stop-shop’ for cyber security support. Go to the NCSC website and review the guidance sheets and technical advice sheets available. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is the UK’s authority on cyber security. NCSC is part of GCHQ. For more information see: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/10-steps-cyber-security
In closing
Nothing in this article constitutes legal advice on which you should rely. The article is provided for general information purposes only. Professional legal advice should always be sought before taking any action relating to or relying on the content of this article. Our Platform Terms of Use apply to this article.
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