Office of Cyber-Security: Don't be embarrassed to report cyber attacks

Report reveals a number of sextortion cases towards the end of last year

Residents and businesses on the Isle of Man are being urged to report suspicious emails in a bid to stop scam artists defrauding businesses out of thousands of pounds.

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre says even with the Ukraine war ‘raging’ ransomware attacks remain the single biggest global cyber threat.

On the Isle of Man the Office of Cyber Security and Information Assurance – or OCSIA for short – is responsible for developing cyber resilience.

It’s just published its first Cyber Threat Update which provides an overview of the most pressing threats using data collected from reporting points and intelligence sharing.

Mike Haywood is the director:

With more than a thousand emails flagged to the suspicious email supporting service in November and December last year it’s clear that scammers are a problem that isn’t going away.

Manx Radio's Christian Jones went into Douglas – the financial capital of the Island – to find out if anyone there had been on the receiving end:

OCSIA’s report highlights key areas of concern from Ransomware – malicious software that locks access to or encrypts data – to smishing, vishing and even sextortion.

Several reports of the latter – where sexually explicit images are unknowingly shared with cyber-criminals - have been reported to the government body.

Mike says people shouldn’t be embarrassed to come forward:

The Office of Cyber-Security and Information Assurance are encouraging residents to report suspicious email's, forwarding them to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service via SERS@ocsia.im.

The government agency say in light of recent global events, there is a heightened risk of cyber-attacks.

Local organisations are urged to exercise additional vigilance and report suspicious activity HERE.