Cybersecurity in the UK: How Businesses Can Protect Their System and Data

Threat actors are launching new and sophisticated attacks on businesses and individuals during the Covid-19 pandemic. A study revealed that every 19 seconds, a small business in the UK is hacked. However, only 52% of companies acknowledged they have a strategy in place to manage cyber threats. 

The onslaught of data breaches highlights cybersecurity as a high priority among businesses and the pressing need to manage and prevent these threats. In this current environment, cybersecurity cannot be an afterthought. Companies must be prepared for all cyber-attacks and have a solid defense plan to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.  

Cyber threats businesses face 

UK businesses have seen a surge in cyber-attacks partly attributed to the lockdown during the pandemic. Ransomware, phishing, and DoS attacks are identified as evolving threats that disrupt business operations, compromise company data, and damage IT infrastructure. 

Phishing attacks 

A phishing email is a significant threat for businesses and individuals. Recently, UK businesses reeling from the coronavirus economic downturn were subjected to a phishing scam. Posing as a government, the email encouraged struggling small businesses to apply for a grant. A click takes users to a malicious site requiring personal information to complete the fake application.   

DoS attacks 

In one brazen attack, a college in Lancashire suffered at the hands of criminals after a denial of service (DoS) attack prevented students from accessing their exam results online. The portal went down soon after the attack because the college’s IT infrastructure was damaged. Recently, educational institutions have been the target of increased cyber-attacks. 

Ransomware

Ransomware was cited as an expensive threat, costing UK businesses a total of $381 million. In particular, one company suffered a devastating loss as a result of ransomware and other events amounting to $50.6 million.

How to mitigate these threats 

Train staff

Cybersecurity training and education should be on every company’s agenda to ensure employees are ready for remote working.  Lessons such as how to spot phishing attacks and ways to secure a company device and data must be included in the training. To reinforce the lessons, it’s a good idea for businesses to simulate a phishing attack. This simulation can take place a few weeks after the training to assess the staff’s readiness.  

Install a VPN

To manage cyber threats, companies need to encourage the use of a VPN for protection. This valuable tool encrypts information transmitted over networks so that hackers cannot read it. This is a great way to improve privacy and security, especially for remote employees who have less IT support because they are no longer stationed at their company's office.

Monitor breaches 

A solid defense plan must include a monitoring system that can detect a data breach and alert authorities. A cost-effective option can be 24/7 remote monitoring through an IT services provider.  Servers will be monitored around the clock, and if an incident occurs, an alarm is raised so the problem can be addressed remotely. 

Use two-factor authentication 

Hackers are growing more sophisticated, so passwords are not enough to protect a system or account anymore. As an added layer of protection, 2FA bolsters security by shutting hackers out of an account even if they manage to crack a user’s password. They will still need a second authentication to gain access, such as a fingerprint or a PIN. 

Backup data regularly

A data backup and recovery plan is a smart way for businesses to protect against data loss. Businesses should set up a regular backup schedule to ensure data continuity if there's an outage or ransomware attack. The data can be stored offline or saved in a cloud.