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Data Protection Authority gives Guernsey firms a cyber security checklist

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The company said safeguards needed to be in place to ensure data confidentiality

Businesses and organisations on Guernsey have been urged to follow a cyber security checklist to reduce the risk of "becoming a target".

The Office of the Data Protection Authority found more than 20 personal data breaches were made through email between March and April 2022.

The authority warned of a current "heightened risk" of cyber-attacks.

Advice ranged from keeping staff aware of the risks and making sure antivirus software was installed.

The authority's commissioner Emma Martins said: "Understanding and responding effectively to personal data breaches is a fundamental part of data governance for all organisations but the current heightened risks, especially around cyber-attacks, means that we must be extra vigilant."

The authority said companies should take the following steps to keep data safe:

  • Keep all software up to date and install antivirus software
  • Make sure important data can be recovered
  • Ensure staff can identify and report security issues and phishing emails, with updated and regular training
  • Strong passwords and multi-factor authentication

In 2021, the regulator reported 36 data breaches between July and August involving island businesses and organisations.

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