However, in the business world it’s important not to treat new processes, plans and strategies in the same way we treat our personal resolutions. And nowhere is that more applicable than in cyber security – where taking proactive steps is no longer optional but essential.
If your organisation understands the need to improve your resilience, manage risk more effectively and demonstrate security compliance but isn’t sure about the next steps, here are some helpful hints from our cyber guru, Daniel Baird.
1. Adopt a proactive security mindset
A consistent and considered approach to cyber security lies at the heart of virtually all security standards and certifications. And this means taking a proactive rather than a reactive strategy. Waiting until an attack happens is no longer an option and organisations have a responsibility to stay ahead by:
- Conducting regular risk assessments: understand your vulnerabilities before attackers do. Assess your systems on at least a quarterly basis to identify gaps and prioritise fixes.
- Implement threat intelligence tools: make the most of effective tools that monitor and predict potential threats to your industry and business.
2. Invest in employee training
It’s become something of a cliché by now but it really is true to say that your employees are your first line of defence. Bear in mind that the most common attack vector is still phishing scams – typically in the form of malicious emails – which can result in damaging breaches within organisations.
Avoiding instances of human error typically comes down to continuous and repeated staff training that helps them to spot and understand how attacks can be initiated and breaches caused. With that in mind, businesses should look to implement training programmes and consider running attack simulations to test the effectiveness of training.
3. Strengthen your endpoint security
With remote and hybrid work here to stay, endpoint security is more critical than ever. Organisations should protect every device connected to a network by deploying Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) to gain real-time monitoring and mitigation. Another key feature here is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) combined with robust password policies.
Again, these may seem like simple steps but you’d be surprised how often weak passwords are still the source of breaches.
4. Enhance incident response plans
It’s important to state that even the best defences can be breached. So, organisations should always hope for the best but prepare for the worst. A robust incident response plan is a tried and trusted way to minimise damage and recovery time.
A good Incident Response (IR) plan should include information on how staff should respond to incidents in the immediate aftermath of an attack – known as “golden time”. Quick and effective response actions can dramatically reduce the damage caused by a breach.
An IR plan should also contain information on how to inform stakeholders, customers and regulators in the event of a breach.
Once an IR plan has been created, you should conduct drills to ensure your team knows their roles and that the plan is clear, concise and generally fit for purpose.
5. Prioritise regulatory compliance
With stricter regulations on data privacy and cybersecurity, more organisations are realising the benefits of compliance with reputable standards such as Cyber Essentials, ISO 27001 and PCI DSS.
Compliance with a recognised standard is becoming important in procurement processes and building trust with other organisations. But just as importantly it provides a framework from which to continually work to improve and raise standards for risk management and resilience.
6. Partner with a Trusted IT Consultancy
Ok, so we would say this. However, whether it’s Atom or another consultancy, gaining an objective and expert eye on your cybersecurity strategy can genuinely help you to become a more resilient organisation.
Navigating the complexities of cybersecurity can be overwhelming, so partnering with experts ensures you have the guidance and resources needed to stay secure.
Looking to make 2025 the year you really prioritise proactive cybersecurity? Get in touch.
