Have you thought about your cyber security lately? If you haven’t, you just need to take one glance at the news to see why you should. Cyber attacks are on the increase, and many companies are falling victim to the ever increasing problem. Just last week, we saw the tragic downfall of KNP Logistics Group, a haulage company with a 158 year legacy falling victim to a vicious ransomware attack. The June 2023 attack ultimately resulted in the company’s administration and the loss of 730 jobs. In the same week, the Royal Family were even targeted when their website was temporarily taken down by Russian hackers. No one is immune to cyber attacks, but there are ways that you can strengthen your defences against them. Now is the perfect time to explore essential strategies to safeguard against cyber threats as we observe Cyber Security Month this October.
The Business Imperative for Cyber Security Awareness
Protecting Sensitive Data: As a business, you store vast amounts of sensitive data, including customer information, intellectual property, and financial records. A data breach not only jeopardises this critical information but also damages your reputation and finances.
Regulatory Compliance: Many industries are subject to strict data protection regulations, such as GDPR in Europe or HIPAA in the healthcare sector. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines and legal consequences.
Financial Impact: Cyber attacks can lead to direct financial losses due to theft, ransom payments, or business interruption. Additionally, the costs associated with investigating and mitigating an attack can be substantial.
Reputation Management: A cyber security incident can destroy customer trust and confidence. Your business may find it challenging to regain your reputation even after addressing the breach.
Strategies to secure your business this Cyber Security Awareness Month
Conduct Risk Assessments: Begin by assessing your organisation’s cyber security risks. Identify vulnerabilities, and the most critical assets that need protection. Specialist IT providers such as Consider IT can carry these out for you.
Develop a Cyber security Policy: Create a comprehensive cyber security policy that outlines best practices, employee responsibilities, incident response procedures, and compliance requirements. Ensure all employees are aware of and adhere to this policy.
Employee Training and Awareness: Invest in cybersecurity training for employees at all levels. Teach them how to recognise phishing attempts, practice safe password management, and report security incidents promptly.
Regular Updates and Patch Management: Keep all software, operating systems, and security tools up to date. Regularly apply patches and updates to address known vulnerabilities.
Implement Strong Access Controls: Limit access to sensitive data and systems to authorised personnel only.
Secure Your Network: Invest in robust firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption protocols to protect your network infrastructure from cyber threats.
Implement 2-factor Authentication: Add an extra layer of protection to your passwords to prevent unauthorised access to company data.
Data Backup and Recovery: Regularly backup critical data, and ensure that you have a tested and effective data recovery plan in place. This can be crucial in the event of a ransomware attack or data breach.
Incident Response Plan: Develop a well-defined incident response plan that outlines steps to take in the event of a cyber security incident.
Get Cyber Essentials Accredited: Add an extra layer of trust with your customers and stakeholders by getting Cyber Essentials Certified. Cyber Essentials is a government-backed scheme that ensures organisations adhere to fundamental cyber security principles, providing a crucial defence against common cyber threats
Consider talking to your IT Partner
At Consider IT, cyber security is our top priority. We are dedicated to assisting our clients in fortifying their digital defences to safeguard their sensitive information and operations. This Cyber Security Month, we invite you to reach out to us for a complimentary cyber security assessment. Consider IT is an IASME certifying body, and as such our expert team will work with you to achieve Cyber Essentials accreditation and compliance. Reach out today to learn more.
