· Hiscox creates educational cyber security card game, inspired by the fifth annual Cyber Readiness Report
· No Phish designed to introduce new audiences to cyber security fundamentals
· Hiscox report reveals the state of cyber preparedness in the UK and beyond
Global specialist insurer Hiscox has taken cyber security to the tabletop with the launch of No Phish, a new card game designed to help businesses learn about cyber readiness.
No Phish was inspired by Hiscox’s fifth annual Cyber Readiness Report, which revealed the number of cyber-attacks against businesses rose from 38% in 2019 to 43% in 2020, with one in six firms attacked saying its survival was threatened.
The deck of 36 cards, available to download and print from the Hiscox website, contains card types like viruses, ransomware and business email compromise, each of which are combated by security cards like multi-factor authentication (MFA), back-ups and employee training.
During a game, players take turns playing malicious attack cards and responding with security cards to simulate the issues the types of incidents a business may face. The first one to get rid of all of their cards is declared the winner.
While specific security cards are designed to respond to particular threats, such as multi-factor authentication combating the business email compromise card, players can reveal a secret weapon that can be played against any threat: that weapon being higher IT budgets.
The cyber readiness report found that cyber spending has increased to meet the challenge brought on by the pandemic, with the majority (63%) of companies surveyed dedicating 21% of their IT budget to preventing cyber-attacks.
The Cards of No Phish
· Multi-factor authentication: A security precaution which grants a user access only after presenting evidence from two or more devices. Pairs with the business email compromise card.
· Anti-virus: Security software that detects instances of malware and protects your system from attack. Pairs with the virus card.
· Employee training: The number of businesses mentioning increased spending on training in 2021 is down 40% to 32%. Pairs with the phishing card.
· Back ups: Backing up your data frequently online and offline provides you with a back-up plan should your system be compromised. Pairs with the ransomware card.
· Virus: 31% of firms affected by a cyber-attack had to deal with a virus infection. Pairs with the anti-virus card.
· Phishing: 28% of businesses identified phishing as the first point of entry for a cyber-attack they experienced. Pairs with the employee training card.
· Ransomware: One-in-six firms attacked were hit with a ransom and more than half (58%) paid up. Pairs with the back ups card.
· Business email compromise: 28% of firms had to deal with payment diversion fraud arising from business email compromise. Pairs with the multi-factor authentication card.
· Secret weapon: The No Phish trump card, allows you to play your turn no matter what card is played.
Stephen Ridley, Hiscox UK Cyber Underwriting Manager, commented: “The pandemic has presented greater cyber security risks for UK businesses, and it’s more important than ever for all of us to have a fully rounded understanding of the cyber threats businesses face. With more people working from home, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to do something different, which is why we created a card game.
“No Phish provides us with a unique way of introducing new audiences to the fundamentals of cyber readiness and we hope it serves as both an entertaining and educational experience.
“We know that this threat isn’t limited to particular countries, and whilst it’s evident that UK businesses are continuously investing in cyber defences, it’s important that increased investment continues to prevent grave financial losses.”
Hiscox’s No Phish card game and a full breakdown of the rules can be found at the following URL: https://www.hiscox.co.uk/
A full copy of The Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report 2021 can be accessed at https://www.hiscox.co.uk/
About the study
The fifth annual Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report was compiled in collaboration with Forrester Consulting. It is based on a survey of executives, departmental heads, IT managers and other key professionals. In total 6,042 professionals involved in their organisation’s cyber security effort were contacted (1,000-plus each from the UK, US, France and Germany, more than 500 each from Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands and 300 from Ireland). Drawn from a representative sample of organisations by size and sector, these are the people on the front line of the business battle against cyber crime. Respondents completed the online survey between 5 November 2020 and 8 January 2021.
Hiscox is a global specialist insurer, headquartered in Bermuda and listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:HSX). Our ambition is to be a respected specialist insurer with a diverse portfolio by product and geography. We believe that building balance between catastrophe-exposed business and less volatile local specialty business gives us opportunities for profitable growth throughout the insurance cycle.
The Hiscox Group employs over 3,000 people in 14 countries, and has customers worldwide. Through the retail businesses in the UK, Europe, Asia and the USA, we offer a range of specialist insurance for professionals and business customers as well as homeowners. Internationally traded, bigger ticket business and reinsurance is underwritten through Hiscox London Market and Hiscox Re & ILS.
Our values define our business, with a focus on people, courage, ownership and integrity. We pride ourselves on being true to our word and our award-winning claims service is testament to that.
For more information, visit www.hiscoxgroup.com.
