The easiest way to minimize risk is to keep your employees informed of coronavirus-related scams, phishing schemes and fraudulent websites. (Credit: cate_89/Shutterstock)

Companies determined to protect their employees and minimize the impact of COVID-19 are enforcing travel restrictions and strong work-from-home policies. However, those actions can be used against employees as firms are likely unprepared for the cyberattack exploitation of a remote workforce. Here are some of the key issues of which law firms and companies need to be aware and steps that should be considered to minimize the risk to keep everyone — and client data — safe.

What you don't know can hurt you

When we are unaware of a risk or threat, and without knowledge of the threat, we generally don't take any precautions.

Criminals are willing to kick you while you're down and we are witnessing evidence of this now. For example, a coronavirus-themed email is targeting health care workers. The email sent from their information technology teams with the subject "ALL STAFF: CORONAVIRUS AWARENESS" informed employees that "the institution is currently organizing a seminar for all staff to talk about this deadly virus" and solicits employees to click on a link to register. In one case, a Czech hospital was shuttered after a coronavirus-themed attack.