Cyber Security Awareness

October is known globally as Cyber Security Awareness Month. Empower your business by refreshing your cyber security awareness and help keep your business secure from cyber threats.

Written by: Sarah Emmerson

Awareness months can sometimes seem a bit gimmicky. However, when they highlight important topics such as cyber security awareness, they provide a valuable opportunity to emphasise the critical importance of maintaining cyber security in every business operation.

In this blog, we have curated a comprehensive list of strategies and best practices to assist you in enhancing the security of your business. Stay informed and discover how you can effectively safeguard your business against cyber threats.

What is cyber security awareness?

It might seem that everyone talks about cyber security awareness, but what actually is it?

Cyber security awareness, also known as internet security awareness, refers to the level of knowledge end-users have about the cyber threats their networks face, the risks they pose, and the best practices to enhance security and guide their behaviour.

The world of cyber security is vast and the terminology that is used can be intimidating to those that aren’t fully aware of what it is or what it means. In our blog ‘Social Engineering’, we explained some of the more common attempts of cyber threats.

How can you stay cyber secure?

Your IT department should be regularly performing Patch Management to help protect against cyber threats. Your operating systems and applications should always have the latest patches and security updates to avoid breaches.

We have listed 10 actions to enhance cyber security.

Enhance Password Security
Using strong, unique passwords is crucial for safeguarding your accounts against unauthorised access. Create complex passwords that incorporate a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Consider utilising a password manager such as 1Password.com to generate and store unique passwords for each account securely.
Implement Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Make your account more secure by turning on two-factor authentication. This means you’ll need to enter a password and a temporary code sent to your phone.
Maintain Regular Software Updates
Ensure your software, operating system, and antivirus programs are regularly updated to address potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers.
Exercise Caution with Links and Attachments
Beware of phishing attempts in the form of fraudulent links or attachments. Always verify the sender’s credibility before clicking or downloading any content!
Regularly Back Up Your Data
Frequently backup your data using an external hard drive, a cloud service, or both, to safeguard against potential ransomware attacks or data breaches. If you need help with this, ask your IT department, give us a call 020 7550 6869 or drop us an email [email protected] and we will be happy to assist you.

Secure Wi-Fi Usage
Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for safe browsing when using public WIFI, and avoid accessing sensitive information.
Promote Cyber Security Awareness
Educate yourself and your team about cyber security best practices and conduct regular training to mitigate potential security threats. Using a Human Risk Management Platform such as Cybsafe is a great way for all staff members to stay updated.
Encrypt Sensitive Information
Utilise encryption to protect sensitive data, such as customer information, financial records, and proprietary data, from unauthorised access.
Secure Your Physical Devices
Prevent device theft by physically securing laptops, tablets, and smartphones using locks or security cables, and avoid leaving them unattended in public areas.
Remain Vigilant and Report Suspicious Activity
Immediately report any suspicious activity to your IT department or relevant authorities to mitigate the risk of a security breach. To make a report., contact Action Fraud in the U.K or the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) in America..

We dived into more detail on some of these points above in our 5 Cyber Security Best Practices blog.

Cyber Security Statistics

We aren’t sure about you, but here at Gather we love statistics! Our friends over at Cybsafe have reported some statistics about cyber awareness in 2023. This data proves that there is still room for improvement for cyber security awareness training within businesses.

70% of data breaches involved the human element in 2023

The average cost of a data breach in 2022 was just under $4.35 million. That’s an all-time high.

Only 1 in 9 businesses (11%) provided a cyber security awareness program to non-cyber employees in 2020.

1 in 3 data breaches involves phishing.

20% of organisations faced a security breach as a result of a remote worker.

Protect your business from Cyber Crime

In today’s digital age, thankfully, there are additional ways in which businesses can protect themselves from cyber attacks. As an MSP, Gather has a few options to help your business.

One option is to gain Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus certification. Our blog ‘A Business Owner’s Guide To Cyber Essentials’ gives a fantastic overview of the benefits of gaining this credential and the differences between the 2 certifications.

Gather is a Cyber Essentials Plus verified company, and we are here to guide you on obtaining this certification.

The second option that you might like to consider is a Cyber Security Risk Review. This is a one-off service which provides a high-level detailed insight into your immediate security profile by performing a rigorous audit which includes an external vulnerability assessment and internal security scanning.

Final thoughts

Thankfully, there are ways to limit the severity of cyber attacks, such as being Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus certified because it reduces your susceptibility to common threats and enhances your overall cybersecurity posture. Undertaking staff training with Cybsafe can help everyone in your organisation be more vigilant about what to look for in a cyber attack.

Hopefully, this blog has given you some insights into how you can help your business become more cyber aware. Unfortunately, attacks are happening regularly, costing businesses millions of pounds. It saddens us to say, but it is only a matter of time before your organisation or someone within it becomes a target. Having robust procedures in places can save your money, reputation and business.

If you're eager to learn more about safeguarding your business and employees against cyber threats. Simply schedule a Teams call with our IT Experts by clicking the 'Book A Meeting' button below. Alternatively, feel free to drop us an email at [email protected] to get started. Let's make your cyber security a top priority!

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