The FBI recently reported that they saw a 300% increase in cybersecurity risk from 2020 and beyond. This is a call to action for all event planners! It is absolutely critical that event planners implement an elevated cybersecurity strategy for their businesses and clients.
This is a pertinent issue because as event planners, we collect a ton of data about our clients/events/attendees that pesky cyber crooks would love to get their hands on, but today, I’m going to give you some tips on how to conduct your event planning business safely and securely.
Hire a Professional Risk Manager. Is this new territory for you? No need to fret. There are professionals that can be hired to show you ways to deter risks and ways to mitigate those that currently exist in your company. They can spot the weak points of cybersecurity in your events and give you the muscle you need to combat them.
Have a Risk Management Plan in Place. As the saying goes, “If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready”. First, identify potential and inherent risks associated with events. Second, assess those risks according to criticality. Lastly, plan how these risks can be controlled and mitigated.
Utilize Digital Data Management Tools. Nothing says Christmas to a cyber crook than accessible data. Utilizing digital data management tools will make those crooks reconsider attacking your business or event. Tools like SSLs (Secure Sockets Layer) can be used for landing pages and websites to encrypt the links between the browser and that data server. So when data is exchanged between these channels, the data is safe and secure.
Use R.F.I.D. Badges (Radio Frequency Identification) for your events. These are cards that enable access to events. Users can be tracked digitally, decreasing your chances of “event crashers”. You can also use this data to analyze the success of your event.
Encrypt the Event Wifi. You don’t want just anyone logging into your client’s event. Encrypting the Event Wifi will ensure that only the right parties will be able to access the event.
Data Purging, Destruction, and Archiving. At the conclusion of every event, you should have a process in place to destroy, purge, or archive confidential and sensitive information collected during the execution of an event.
How have you stepped up your cybersecurity game of your events? Do share below in the comments. As always, WE would like to wish you the best in all that you do!
Schedule a meeting with our team of experienced and talented event professionals today. WE go above and beyond to ensure that your dream events are always a Wynning Experience!