Colleagues will be well aware that the risk from cyber enabled crime remains the number one security related risk to CEMEX business across the globe. In fact, cyber related crime is probably the most significant risk to the vast majority of businesses, regardless of size or global span.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in particular, cyber criminals have been busy and industrious exploiting user frailties in an attempt to hack email accounts and organisational data storage. Recently reported high-profile examples include the international motor manufacturing giant Honda, whose global business has been hampered by a suspected malware attack causing production losses globally.

Closer to home, several UK based CEMEX users have been targeted recently by malicious email phishing attempts. In two separate cases, 25 email accounts received a malicious email one of which led to an attempted fraud of significant financial value.

A suite of preventative measures is deployed across CEMEX IT, both hardware and software, to minimise these risks and prevent the impact of cyber criminals. However, one single factor is more important than all other hard and software security measures; you, the user. It is more vital now than ever before, for each of us to practice safe and secure use of our IT and email accounts.

Staff are reminded:

• Never click on a link contained within an email the origin of which you are not 100% sure of.
• If in doubt, check the email veracity with the sender first, preferably by telephone (never by direct reply to the email in question).
• Never enter your log-on credentials from an email link.
• Always assume CEMEX will not forward emails requiring your log on credentials.
• Practice safe password management and ensure you regularly change your password.
• When working away from the office, connect only through the CEMEX VPN.

Colleagues are encouraged to visit the UK Cyber Security SharePoint and view an informative, bespoke video, recorded in partnership with the West Midlands Region Organised Crime Unit: https://cemex.sharepoint.com/sites/UKCyberSafetyDay.

Please practice the advice the video contains; it may save you and the organisation from becoming the next victim of a cyber related crime!