Digital Age Harassment for Executive Ranks: Implementing Discouragement Strategies for Corporate Leaders Online
In today's digital world, the lack of comprehensive laws governing online decorum has created a fertile ground for bad actors to target executives. As the stakes are high, with a single digital attack inflicting lasting damage, it is crucial that leaders are equipped with the necessary tools, protections, and support to navigate through cyberbullying attacks.
Cyberbullying has evolved to target executives and business leaders. Online attacks can originate from disgruntled employees, competitors, activists, unknown individuals, or others with a grievance. Artificial intelligence-fueled content like deepfakes and pseudo-media stories have become more common and harder to discern, increasing the risk of reputational harm before a company has time to respond.
Reputational harm can affect a company's credibility and lead to financial costs associated with legal battles, crisis communication fees, lower sales, loss of clients, and stock devaluation. Moreover, cyberbullying incidents can expose companies to legal or regulatory risks due to the breach of personal or company data, deepfake impersonation, or false claims.
The emotional and mental health impacts of cyberbullying on executives can be severe, leading to depression, anxiety, and even panic attacks. To address this issue, companies should evaluate what mental health resources are available as part of their executive benefits package.
Companies should also revisit their commercial cyber insurance policies for new cyberbullying coverage options. These can offer assistance during challenging times, such as covering expenses for cybersecurity assistance, crisis support, legal costs, identity restoration, counseling services, and income loss.
Establishing relationships with digital law professionals can help in navigating the murky waters of fighting back online or pursuing legal action against perpetrators. Shifting to a proactive posture for cyber resilience should include recognising that cyberbullying of executives is a real and growing threat, requiring structured planning and protection.
Response planning and crisis communications protocols should be documented for executive-targeted harassment, designating roles and responsibilities, preparing a media strategy, and ensuring executives know how to report threats.
Matt Cullina, the Head of Global Cyber Insurance Business at Transunion, underscores the importance of protecting an executive's digital identity and well-being. He emphasises that in the absence of a specific organisation offering special insurance options specifically against cyberharassment integrated into a multipronged management defence approach, companies often consult specialized cyber insurance brokers or firms with expertise in cyber risk management.
In conclusion, as cyberbullying continues to pose a significant threat to executives and businesses, it is essential to adopt a proactive approach to cyber resilience, ensuring the necessary protections, resources, and support are in place to mitigate the risks and protect both individuals and organisations in the digital age.
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