IntelliSystems CEO Kevin Wade speaks about COVID-19 and cyber security

IntelliSystems CEO Kevin Wade recently discussed the impact of COVID-19 on cyber security on NPR’s South Carolina Business Review with Mike Switzer.

With the pandemic forcing more companies and their employees onto the internet to transact business, Wade addressed the recent rash of spam attacks taking advantage of the public’s fears related to COVID-19. “Over 110,000 COVID-19 domains have been registered in an attempt to appear legitimate that are, in fact, fraudulent,” he said.

Along with websites, scammers and hackers are producing emails, text messages, and phone calls to lure people into compromised cyber security situations, specifically targeting employees working from home.

For example, someone might receive a phishing email suggesting he or she came into contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19. The email would provide recommendations, including a website to click for more information. If the receiver opened the link, malware would immediately download.

Scammers might also purport to represent hospitals, providing a “document” to open, or to represent a government office with important information about stimulus money.

Wade recommends taking extra precautions during the current situation. At the most basic, all employees working from home should have standard virus protection. Other considerations include using a company-issued computer and phone; keeping operating systems up to date; installing a firewall; and vetting tools before using them. “Lastly, the best safeguard is to implement multi-factor authentication, so you not only have to know a username and a password to get access to something but maybe if it’s never been used on a specific computer, you have to enter a code that gets sent to your cell phone. Or maybe you have an app that’s got a number on it that changes every 60 seconds,” he said. “As many of these as you can implement, the better.”

With more than 27 years of experience in business technology management, telecommunications and cyber security, IntelliSystems is a managed services, cyber security and communications firm that delivers customized IT management and cyber security solutions for local businesses. “Recently, we have done more and more with cyber security and have created a lot of preventive tools for business customers to keep them safe,” said Wade.

For more information about IntelliSystems cyber security, visit: www.intellisystems.com.

To listen to the South Carolina Business Review interview with Kevin Wade: www.southcarolinapublicradio.org/post/cybersecurity-needs-increase-during-pandemic

About IntelliSystems

IntelliSystems is a leading business technology company in Georgia and South Carolina. Its mission is to help businesses harness the power of technology to achieve success. For more information, visit: www.intellisystems.com.