Cyber Security Services for Business

This throws up even more reasons to ensure your technologies, processes, networks, programmes, devices and data (especially customer data) are all fully protected. And it doesn’t matter how big or small your business is, you need security.

In this article, we’ll look at

• What is cyber security?
• Why cyber security is important for your business
• The most common cyber-attacks on businesses
• Cyber security services for business
• Benefits of managed cyber security services

 

What is cyber security?

The government’s National Cyber Security Centre says: “Cyber security is how individuals and organisations reduce the risk of cyber attack.” It goes on to say it is the protection of the devices we all use and the services we access from theft or damage. Plus preventing unauthorised access to personal information stored on devices and online.

As your business becomes increasingly reliant on technology, it becomes more vulnerable. And now if you’re having to support more remote working, then there’s even more need for strengthened cyber security.

 

Why cyber security is important for your business.

Easy. According to Companies House, 98% of UK businesses operate online. That could be via websites, social media, staff emails, online banking and ecommerce for customers. Not only that, in the government’s ‘Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2018’, it states over 43% of all businesses and 19% of charities suffered a cyber breach or attack in the year leading up to the survey.

Smartphones, computers, the internet, working from home, online banking, online shopping, email and social media. How did we ever cope without them? They’re such a huge part of everyday modern life. And as they become increasingly interwoven with our businesses and home lives, then we become more vulnerable. 

So, cyber crime increases and becomes more sophisticated. The impact on your business can be huge. Potential losses to your business include:

• Corporate information
• Intellectual property
• Disruption in trading
• Repairing systems
• Loss of customer trust
• Loss of customers to competitors
• GDPR regulatory fines

 

Most common cyber attacks on businesses

What should you be looking out for?  What are the most common types of cyber attacks on businesses? Let’s dip our digital toes into the murky pool of cyber attacks.

• Phishing
• Target(s) are contacted by email, telephone or text message posing as a bone fide organisation.
• Attempts to trick users into providing sensitive data e.g. identify information, banking and credit card details, passwords, etc.
• This information is then used to access all manner of accounts, leading to identity theft, financial loss, etc.
• Malware
• Short for ‘malicious software’.
• Malware is a catch-all term for worms, viruses, trojans and other computer programs that hackers use to cause damage to computers, servers or computer networks.
• Ransomware
• A form of malware that encrypts a victim’s files.
• The cyber attacker then demands a ransom to restore access to the data.
• Victims are given instructions on how to pay and receive the decryption key.
• Denial-of-Service (DoS and DDoS) attacks
• Denial-of-service (DoS) attacks typically aim to overwhelm or flood a targeted machine with requests (we’re talking thousands a second) until normal traffic can’t be processed.
• A single computer is usually used to launch the attack.
• Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks are carried out with networks of connected machines.
• Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks
• A type of eavesdropping attack that interrupts an existing conversation or data transfer.
• Attackers pretend to be legitimate participants to intercept information and data.
• They can also send malicious links to both legitimate participants.

 

Cyber security services for business

So, what can you do? Well, prevention is the best form of defence, and, luckily, most cyber attacks can be prevented quickly and simply. Let’s look at some of the services you might need to protect your business.

Cyber security assessment

First and foremost, engage with an expert cyber security consultant to review your current IT security.  They’ll provide you with a range of recommendations for any improvements needed, based on your current security stack and what you’re prioritising in the coming weeks and months.

Data security

Data leaks can be extremely damaging to individuals and businesses. Think customer or employee data. Not only that, but there are also legal requirements relating to data which businesses must follow, such as GDPR which came into effect in 2018.

Network security

Monitoring your network is a critical process. We’re talking routers, switches, firewalls, servers, etc. It can help you spot any slow or weakened areas that might put your systems at risk.  The system will then notify your IT department or provider, who can then take the appropriate course of action.

Mobile device security

Mobile device security is a key consideration as working remotely becomes the norm. It protects your mobile devices and your business systems they connect to.  For example, you can use specialist mobile device management systems to ensure devices are patched and secure against phishing attacks before they are allowed to connect to your servers and databases.

Application security

Application security is fundamental to your company’s overall security, especially with the increase of remote access. Applications are often a gateway for users to access your company’s data or services. Application security features tools that sit between an application and the user to safeguard both.

Identity and access management

As its name suggests, identity and access management (IAM) technology provides controls to protect your systems and data against unauthorised users. It ensures your users are who they claim to be before granting access to your systems. It often includes Single Sign On (SSO) technologies across several applications to simplify logging in for users.

Penetration testing

Often referred to as pen testing, this is a great way to assess how effective your cyber security is and to identify vulnerabilities and necessary improvements. A pen test can be carried out regularly for a snapshot of your network, or It is often carried out before and/or after a transformation project e.g., a new website or CRM.

Remote working

Repeated lockdowns have forced businesses to change how their employees work. Working from home for at least part of the week is now considered normal. This potentially opens a can of worms security-wise for your business if you’re new to this scenario.

Anti-malware, VPN (Virtual Private Network), mobile phones and laptops – you need to get on top of your security strategies and policies for your remote workers.

Bespoke cyber security development

With the increased cyber risk that remote working may bring, factoring in cyber security measures is vital. You won’t need to break the bank but tapping into the knowledge and skills a cyber security provider can offer, is frankly worth every penny.

Bespoke cyber security will save you money, time and all those potential losses to your business outlined.

 

Benefits of managed cyber security services

There’s enough to think about when running a business without these added cyber headaches. The benefits of partnering with a professional cyber security company with proven experience is invaluable.

Think about it…

• In-depth and up-to-date cyber security knowledge and experience.
• Experience with complex assessment tools and techniques.
• Free up your in-house IT staff who don’t have to worry about cyber security concerns.
• Vulnerabilities identified and fixed.
• Ongoing monitoring and attack prevention.
• Lower cost than establishing in-house expertise.
• Fast and effective responses to any identified threats.
• Your business data is secure.
• Remote working is secure.
• Your staff are better educated and more aware regarding cyber security practices.

 

Summing up

You can see, then, that cyber attacks on businesses are only going to increase. They’ll become more complex and cunning. And it could become easier for cyber criminals as so many of us are working remotely. But by using a specialist cyber security consultant like BlueFort Security, your concerns can be dealt with professionally and effectively.

Questions or concerns? Give us a call on 01252 917000, email enquiries@bluefort.com or use our contact form.