With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, a huge number of events have moved online, and companies have reaped its benefits. Even now, post-pandemic, virtual events are still popular as they are cheaper, easier to organize and attend, and ensure global reach. It’s expected that businesses’ future event mix will be 32% physical, 45% virtual, and 23% hybrid.
Private Clubs can also plan some events online, such as workshops, webinars, safety training, tournament broadcasts, or conferences. You can invite some interesting speakers to engage with your members or facilitate discussions among members on various topics.
However, keep in mind that online events can also attract some cyber criminals, so planning all security measures is essential. In this article, you’ll find a comprehensive guide on how to keep your members safe during any virtual event.
Why would your online event be a target for cyber criminals?
Not everyone understands why cybercriminals target online events and what advantage they can gain from it, so sometimes organizers are quite carefree about event security. But the danger is real.
So, what is the benefit of attacking online events?
Firstly, cybercriminals can gain access to the event, and attendees won’t know about it. They trust the club and will think that the organizers are sending links in the chat asking them to click. However, behind these links, there could be phishing, ransomware, or other cyber threats aimed at stealing personal data, credentials, passwords, photos, and money from cards or blocking certain systems and demanding ransom.
But even if the link leads to something harmless, participants can be manipulated against their will for specific political, advertising, or business purposes. Trust in the club will significantly decline in any case, and the reputation will be damaged.
Secondly, cybercriminals can extract certain personal data of participants, including email and phone numbers, sell them on the dark web, or use them for further profiling of individuals on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and professional websites. In the future, the person may become a target of a highly individualized cyber attack.
Clearly, club managers want all their members to be in maximum safety, so they should prioritize security even during online events. How to achieve this will be explained in the next section.
Strategies for Hosting Secure Virtual Events
In this part of the article, we’ll describe what you should do before, during and after event to keep it secure.
What you should do before the event
Here are some specific pre-event measures you can take to minimize risks:
Select a secure virtual event platform
When choosing a platform, make sure it provides robust security features like data encryption, access controls, and monitoring capabilities.
Data encryption is crucial for safeguarding sensitive information exchanged between attendees and the platform, protecting it from unauthorized interception. Access controls, such as multi-factor authentication and password protection, ensure that only authorized attendees and staff can access the event, preventing unauthorized entry.
Monitoring capabilities allow organizers to identify any suspicious activity or behavior that might compromise attendee security or privacy.
Look for platforms offering real-time monitoring for chat rooms, social media feeds, and other communication channels.
Train event staff on security best practices
Consider organizing training sessions before the event to educate staff on identifying and responding to potential threats. Topics may include recognizing phishing scams, dealing with malware, and addressing other common security risks.
Establish security protocols and guidelines
Craft guidelines outlining best practices for data handling, password management, and safe online behavior. Ensure all attendees and staff are familiar with these guidelines before the event. They may include:
- Use strong, unique passwords for all event-related accounts and avoid sharing them.
- Keep all software and devices updated with the latest security patches and antivirus software.
- Don’t share sensitive or personal information unless absolutely necessary.
- Access the event only through trusted and secure networks, like a private Wi-Fi network or VPN.
- Be cautious of suspicious links or attachments during the event; avoid clicking on them.
- Report any suspicious behavior or activity to the event organizer promptly.
- Log out of the event platform and related accounts once the event concludes.
- Adhere to any additional security guidelines or protocols provided by the event organizer.
What you should do during the event
Hide Your Video/Streaming URL
Displaying a URL during a stream can make it easy for hackers to steal event content, cause disruptions, or make other damage. So hide your video or streaming URL to prevent unauthorized sharing of videos from your virtual event. Moreover, it puts you in control of event access, ensuring that individuals cannot access it without your knowledge.
Implement Access Controls and Authentication Measures
Utilize multi-factor authentication, passwords, and PINs to ensure only authorized attendees can access the event. Enforce strong passwords and require attendees to create secure passwords for their accounts to prevent the compromise of login credentials.
Monitor Attendee Activity and Behavior
Establish a monitoring system to identify any suspicious activity or behavior that may compromise attendee security or privacy. This includes monitoring chat rooms, social media feeds, and other communication channels. By monitoring attendee behavior, potential security threats, such as sharing suspicious links, can be identified in real time, allowing you to take appropriate action to mitigate the risk.
Disable Screen Sharing for Participants
Screen sharing during online events exposes the participant sharing the screen to potential risks regarding their own information. Additionally, it is a potential avenue for your content to be disseminated on the internet, reaching a global audience beyond your control. The most effective solution is to turn off the screen sharing feature for your attendees, mitigating this concern.
Use Secure Communication Channels
Employ secure communication channels to protect against eavesdropping and other security risks. Additionally, use encrypted messaging platforms to communicate with attendees and refrain from sending sensitive information over unsecured channels.
Provide a Secure Way for Attendees to Submit Questions or Comments
Establish a secure platform for attendees to submit questions or feedback, such as a dedicated Q&A session or a feedback form accessible only to organizers. This ensures the protection and confidentiality of attendee data.
Address Security Incidents in Real Time
Have a plan in place to respond to security incidents in real-time to minimize potential damage. This may involve temporarily shutting down certain features or taking other measures to contain the incident. Communicate with attendees promptly and transparently to keep them informed about any security incidents and the steps being taken to address them.
After the event your team should assess its security and review all measures to improve the next events. Were there any unauthorized access attempts? Did you use your incident responce plan? If so, was it effective? Was the monitoring system successful in identifying suspicious activity or behavior? Were the communication channels secure? And so on. Answer this questions and use information for further improvement.
If you want to have your cyber security and IT services managed effectively, contact us. Our team is available 24×7; we instantly address any incidents and take every possible measure to prevent them. With Club Support your online events and every other Club processes will be entirely safe and secure.
