Global re/insurance brokerage Aon has announced the expansion of its cyber risk assessment methodology, CyQu Enterprise, to help analyse and understand the cyber security impacts in light of the increase in remote working amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Designed specifically for SMEs, Aon’s CyQu is an automated cyber self-assessment. Businesses complete a short survey, after which they receive an automated CyQu score. This score is benchmarked against industry peers and provides a snap shot of the firm’s reported cyber maturity and exposure across nine security domains.
The expanded scope of CyQu means that now, these areas include remote working alongside data security, access control, endpoint and systems security, network security, physical security, application security, third-party exposure, and business resilience.
While government enforced lockdown measures are being relaxed in many parts of the world, it’s expected that for many businesses, greater levels of remote working will become the norm.
In fact, Ohio-based insurer Nationwide revealed plans to permanently transition to a new hybrid operating model, while Direct Insurance Group is the first insurance group to formally commit to a remote working policy for all staff permanently.
With more and more individuals and entire businesses now operating remotely, vulnerabilities have been exposed, which in turn can create opportunities for cyber attackers to access sensitive information. Aon’s enhanced CyQu is designed to help uncover these vulnerabilities and identify key areas of improvement to prioritise.
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.”
