Aon adjusts cyber product to factor in increased risks of homeworking

Broker Aon has expanded the scope of one of its cyber products to take into account the increased cyber risks companies face as a result of more staff working from home.

For most companies, even when return to work programmes are implemented, increased levels of remote working will remain the norm. This has already been proven to expose vulnerabilities, which in turn can create opportunities for cyber attackers to gain access to networks and sensitive information.

CyQu Enterprise, an automated cyber self-assessment designed specifically for SMEs, can now give businesses an automated CyQu Score based on a survey, which is benchmarked against industry peers. This offers a snapshot of the business’s reported cyber maturity and exposures across nine security domains. These areas now include remote working alongside data security, access control, endpoint and systems security, network security, physical security, application security, third-party exposure and business resilience.

Richard Hanlon, CCO, Aon’s Cyber Solutions EMEA, said: “Cyber risk is one of the top business risks facing organizations, especially SMEs. Despite this, the majority have not comprehensively assessed those risks and are not adequately prepared for a cyber incident. The shift to remote working as a result of the coronavirus pandemic have only amplified business’ exposure, as many are not aware of the additional cyber risks involved in connecting and working remotely.

“Our decision to expand the CyQu product is demonstrative of Aon’s proven ability to quickly assess and respond to business’ evolving needs with innovative and relevant solutions. While the risks of remote working have come to the forefront during this lockdown period, we have long seen a trend towards businesses’ promoting flexible working practices. So we are pleased to offer a product that will help our clients to manage both immediate and long-term impacts of changing working practices.”