Business reaction to COVID-19 could result in a hackers playground

Purdue Professor Marcus Rogers is stressing good cybersecurity hygiene as more employees move toward working out of their homes in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo/Clint Patterson/Unsplash)

WHAT: Companies are taking unprecedented steps in the wake of COVID-19, with some telling employees to work from home and others preparing similar contingency plans. The result, however, could be a cybersecurity nightmare.

EXPERT: Purdue University professor Marcus Rogers, an expert in cybersecurity and cyber forensics, is available to talk about the potential cybersecurity hazards from large numbers of the workforce operating out of their homes.

QUOTE:  “Criminals will use the crisis to scam people for money, account information and more. With more people working from home, people need to make sure they are practicing good cybersecurity hygiene, just like they would at work. There is also a big risk that infrastructures will become overwhelmed, resulting in communication outages, both internet and cell.”

MORE INFORMATION

• Rogers has almost 25 years of experience in public- and private-sector consulting in the area of information technology security, and has consulted for the military, law enforcement and for some of the largest financial and health care providers in the world.

Writer: Brian Huchel, 765-494-2084, bhuchel@purdue.edu

Source: Marcus Rogers, 765-560-3290, rogersmk@purdue.edu