Cyber criminals are still wreaking havoc on computer systems using “traditional” techniques, brokers have been warned.

An Emergence Insurance webinar told 1100 brokers and clients that criminals continue to succeed with hacking (involved in 48% of breaches) and malicious software (30% of breaches). Errors cause 17% of breaches and 12% arise from privilege misuse.

Cyber criminals commonly use a mixture of methods, including phishing, to obtain access to insert malware.

The statistics are from the global Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, which examines more than 50,000 claims. Emergence contributed to the report.

Emergence National Head of Sales Gerry Power says the statistics show more education on cyber risk is needed. For example, 15% of staff still click on phishing emails.

“Phishing awareness is an important risk management tool,” he said.

Simple safeguards include restricting administration privileges, requiring three-factor ID for access and always updating software.

Mr Power says cyber event remediation is expensive and the cost will increase now Australia’s notifiable data breaches scheme is in place.