The importance of taking pre-emptive action to protect your devices from digital compromise and data theft, or worse....

We are all animals and mostly hard wired to think about safety, security and survival on a near constant basis. In the analogue developed world this evolved into improved personal and family security at home and when travelling; home insurance, car insurance, life insurance, travel insurance ; PI insurance in the workplace; private medical insurance; and so on…..

But that was then, in an analogue world. So how have we changed our approach to protection from compromise, theft or intrusion in our current world, the digital world? Everyday we read about cyber security breaches, ransomware, phishing, data theft, identity theft, financial fraud. None of this is new.?

So have we moved with the times and adapted to this new set of digital threats on a personal and professional basis? How many of us really understand the threat?from the dark side, the dark web - and just how sophisticated the fraudsters have become in origination and application of their trade? Hmmm - not exactly. Sure some of us change our device and site passwords from time to time, even use two factor authentication, perhaps employ cheap and easy to install VPN’s (mostly so that you can access your streaming services abroad); and of course some/most HNI’s, Corporations, C Suites, Family Offices, Hedge Funds, Private Equity Funds, Financial Institutions employ network security professionals for cyber security protection.

But most of us, at least in part, now live our lives via our?devices?- communication with friends and family, work colleagues, clients and for financial transactions, investments, banking, buying and selling real estate, buying a whole range of goods and services - just look at the apps on your phone, tablet or laptop. Basically your life, your family life, your business life all on a device. And often our personal devices and work life co-mingle?in a dangerous way - that's to say if your?personal device?is compromised there's a good chance you might have unwittingly introduced?a network threat to your company/employer.

So if and when you are unlucky enough or complacent enough to be scammed, hacked or compromised you will discover that the incursion has happened right under your nose or by your own hand. And at that point it’s too late, the damage is done. Yes you might recover something, you might be partially insured, you will likely get your business back, recover your identity and after more expense, inconvenience and time get your life back to sort of how it was. But your personal information will still be in the wrong hands and potential future compromise is on the cards.

In summary, I’m not advocating that you don’t need insurance or home security or the application of good old fashioned common sense - rather I am suggesting that you do need to proactively and pre-emptively protect your digital life via your?devices. Unless you genuinely live off grid your digital life is likely an indivisible part of you and likely your family and business too. So if you have accumulated some wealth, reputation, or are part of a C Suite, a Family Office or Financial Institution that customarily uses devices and you’d like to know more about how to comprehensively protect your digital life please contact Lucy Burnford and team at?[email protected]?and?https://www.coc00n.com

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