Cybersecurity Investments
No matter your industry, data protection is vital to long-term success
The threat of cybercrime grows larger by the day, with almost 8 million attacks on UK businesses over the last 12 months, according to government figures. With so much of our commercial data assets being stored digitally, it’s no longer a luxury to invest in cybersecurity, but a necessity.
Investing in robust cybersecurity measures protects businesses against the ever-evolving tactics of malicious actors, helping you avoid financial and reputational loss, and catastrophic legal consequences.
The best time to start investing in cybersecurity is right now. Here are some of the most important investments that every business should utilise to safeguard their digital assets, courtesty of the cyber security consultants at SRM.
Penetration testing
Often referred to as ‘ethical hacking’, penetration testing involves simulating cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities in your systems before malicious hackers can exploit them.
By regularly conducting penetration tests, you can ensure that your security framework remains strong, and any vulnerabilities are swiftly addressed. Investing in penetration testing not only protects your business from potential breaches but also demonstrates a proactive approach to cybersecurity, boosting trust with clients and partners.
Managed Detection and Response (MDR)
Combining advanced technology and human expertise, MDR detects, responds to, and mitigates threats in real-time. It provides 24/7 monitoring of your IT environment, ensuring that any potential threats are identified and neutralised before they can cause significant harm.
Services typically include threat intelligence, proactive threat hunting, and incident response, which are crucial for businesses that may lack the in-house resources to manage these functions effectively.
Employee training and awareness
Human error remains one of the most significant areas for vulnerability in any organisation. Phishing attacks, social engineering, and other forms of cyber deception prey on unsuspecting staff, so investing in regular cybersecurity training and awareness programs is essential.
Programs should educate employees on the latest threats, best practices for password management, and how to recognise and respond to suspicious activity. This can help prevent data breaches and avoid costly fines.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Adding an extra layer of security to your business’s digital assets is always a good idea, and MFA does so by requiring users to verify their identity through two or more authentication factors. This could include something the user knows (a password), something they have (a mobile device), or something they are (biometric data).
By implementing MFA, businesses significantly reduce the risk of unauthorised access, even if login credentials are compromised.
Endpoint protection
The rise in mobile devices and remote working means securing endpoints is both more challenging and more critical than ever. Endpoint protection platforms (EPP) provide comprehensive security for all devices that connect to your network, including laptops, smartphones, and tablets.
These platforms offer features like antivirus, anti-malware, data encryption, and threat detection, ensuring that all endpoints are safeguarded against potential attacks. Investing in robust endpoint protection is vital to maintaining a secure IT environment, especially for businesses with a remote or hybrid workforce.
Data encryption solutions
Encrypting your data adds a crucial extra layer of protection to sensitive data, ensuring that even if it is intercepted, it cannot be read or used by unauthorised parties. It’s not only a security measure, but a key compliance requirement under critical legislation like GDPR.
Whether sensitive data is stored on-site, in the cloud, or in transit, investing in data encryption solutions for your business is essential for protecting it.
Incident Response Planning
No system is entirely immune to cyberattacks, even with the best defences in place. This is why being both proactive and reactive in your dealing with cybercrime is important, and having a well-defined incident response plan (IRP) is key to this.
An IRP outlines the steps your business should take in the event of a cyber incident, helping to minimise damage and ensure a swift recovery. By preparing in advance, you can reduce the impact of a breach, and maintain customer trust.