DAS UK makes cyber experts of Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa

DAS UK Group has become the first legal expenses insurer to launch a suite of cyber security information and guidance for the virtual assistants Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

Owners of a voice-activated Google Assistant- and Alexa-enabled devices can ‘connect’ with the DAS Cyber Security Assistant by asking questions and listening to answers that will explain how to stay safe online, and what to do if things go wrong.

The DAS Cyber Security action for Google Assistant, for example, is launched simply by saying: “OK Google, talk to DAS Cyber Security.” The action or skill is free to download from both the Google and Amazon stores.

DAS is also looking to work with its strategic business partners and brokers to create bespoke white-labelled versions of the new skill, enabling partners to promote their own proposition to their customers.

The launch of these cyber security assistants follows recent research from DAS and HSB Engineering Insurance that showed widespread confusion and misunderstanding concerning cyber security, with significant numbers of UK consumers failing to take even the most basic online precautions.

Released in May, the DAS Market Barometer: Cyber found that although 88% of consumers claim to be confident when dealing with cyber security, they appear to be in ‘cyber denial’ with regards to protecting themselves. Nearly a quarter are failing to take even basic—and well-known—precautions such as using anti-virus software (23%) or ‘strong’ passwords (24%).

Earlier this year, DAS became the world’s first legal expenses insurer to launch a legal expenses insurance skill for the Amazon Alexa, enabling customers to ask various questions regarding common legal issues such as disputes with neighbours, employment tribunals and redundancy.

Kevin Neal, head of strategy and innovation at DAS UK Group, said: “Technology is changing how we work and play, with a wide range of digital platforms and ‘smart’ devices helping us to communicate, shop, interact, and share information in ever more dynamic ways.”

“It’s a truly exciting landscape but one that introduces new and evolving threats that we need to be aware of; such as different types of malware or social engineering scams. It’s important for everyone to properly understand what these risks are, know how to avoid problems, and to be able to fix things quickly if they do happen.”

“It’s fairly easy to get the basics right, but unfortunately most people aren’t doing so at the moment.”

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Mark Dugdale