EXPERT SPEAK

However , not all adaptive habits have been cybersafe . With board and C-suite level executives turning to their personal emails , apps and devices , there are increased security risks that come with sharing sensitive and targetable material . Virtual meetings have become the norm and many find that the traditional non-verbal cues do not translate well over video . Therefore , they have resorted to various messaging applications to comment , pose questions or have sidebar discussions . Although efficient , using instant messaging applications puts the information and senders at risk .

On a positive note , there is an abundance of technological advancements and digital tools available that can provide solutions and strengthen data protection .

Securing communications and video conferences

With email communications on the rise since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic , so have cyberattacks . The UAE saw more than 600,000 phishing attacks in the second quarter of 2020 , as people spend more time on the Internet . Companies are looking for secure workflow tools that provide boards and C- level executives with a dedicated channel for sharing , assembling and collaborating on sensitive materials . Using such channels is essential for a company ’ s success during these uncertain times , to ensure that all team communications are centralised , instantaneous and secure .

Also , video conferences have their share of security and safety issues , which is why board members should remain diligent of who is in the calls . Unprotected links call for uninvited guests ; if shared in emails , they can easily be forwarded or intercepted by the wrong people . A better approach to sharing links is through a board management software that incorporates a calendar feature , which provides company secretaries and board members a secure channel for sharing video conferencing links .

Information security : How to keep data safe in an era of virtual communication

Information security has always been crucial for companies and even more so during a global pandemic . A secure and encrypted governance technology can protect confidential information as it flows to and from the board , as well as enables secure collaboration across the organisation . Moreover , now that the world has shifted to online work , many governance committees have moved board evaluations and other critical decision-making processes to survey software such as SurveyMonkey and Google Surveys . However ,

Hala Halaseh , Regional Customer Success Manager ( MENA ) at Diligent Corporation data breaching is likely to happen on such unencrypted platforms . To avoid any negative impact from breaches , companies

should conduct these processes through secure platforms that are also able to analyse data and visualise results .

Virtual work has become a way of life , and board members now shoulder an added responsibility of making sure their data and information do not end up in the wrong place . Not only do organisations need to put significant importance on the well-being of their teams but also their cybersecurity and governance risks . Fortunately , there are various digital tools available that ensure mitigating the risks . Now is the time to invest in such technologies to keep intruders away from sensitive material that board members need to protect . •

The UAE saw more than 600,000 phishing attacks in the second quarter of 2020 , as people spend more time on the Internet .

INTELLIGENT TECH CHANNELS

INTELLIGENT TECH CHANNELS Issue 34

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