Many boards still send sensitive internal governance communications via insecure boardroomsolutions.org/best-secure-file-hosting-comparison-review communication channels. Diligent Corporation released a report that found that 56 percent board members use their personal email addresses for communications with the board. Even governance professionals and senior executives are also doing this. This is a serious risk that must be addressed.

It is crucial to get board members on board with the need for secure communications. This involves educating them about how their current methods make them vulnerable to data breaches, and making them aware of the cost of such breaches in terms of lost operational time, cost of dealing with a cyberattack, and concern about compliance violations.

Cybercriminals are attracted by boards because they have access to sensitive information that is important to them. The hackers often target prominent individuals such as board directors and C-level executives due to their access to sensitive information that has importance to them. They are therefore a prime target for ransomware, which is a type of malware that allows criminals to threaten to release sensitive information unless they receive a payment.

To avoid this, the board should look into the adoption of a platform for governance that replaces email and text messages with a secure record system that uses encrypted data transmission and a custom-built mobile application. This eliminates the need to share confidential or sensitive information with unsecure email accounts or document systems that are managed by the organization’s IT teams and creates an independent platform that will enable boards to lead even in times of crisis.