With Cybersecurity Awareness Month underway, a recent survey has highlighted the alarming state of cybersecurity in the UK. The 2024 Government Cybersecurity Breaches Survey revealed that 50% of businesses experienced a cyber-attack or security breach within the past year. In light of these statistics, cyber protection experts from Hypernode, a leading e-commerce hosting provider, have shared crucial practices to help UK businesses bolster their online security.
Understanding Cyber Hygiene
Cyber hygiene refers to a set of practices designed to maintain the health and security of systems related to a business’s online activities. Much like physical hygiene, maintaining good cyber hygiene involves implementing regular preventative measures to protect against cyber threats.
Key Cyber Hygiene Practices
- Antivirus and Antimalware Software: Installing robust antivirus and antimalware software is essential. These tools help detect and neutralise malicious programs that could compromise sensitive data. With cyber threats constantly evolving, keeping this software updated is crucial.
- Beware of Phishing: Phishing remains one of the most prevalent forms of cybercrime, with 90% of businesses that have faced cybercrime falling victim to such scams. Cybercriminals often use deceptive emails, messages, or websites to trick individuals into disclosing sensitive information. It is vital for employees to remain vigilant and cautious about potential phishing attempts.
- Data Backup and Encryption: Regularly backing up important data is critical, particularly in the event of data loss or a ransomware attack. Sensitive information should be encrypted to ensure that only authorised personnel can access it.
- Secure Wi-Fi, Strong Passwords, and MFA: While these steps may seem basic, they are often overlooked yet fundamental to cyber hygiene. Unsecured Wi-Fi networks are prime targets for cybercriminals, while weak passwords can easily be hacked. Businesses should implement strong, unique passwords for each account and enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security.
- Employee Education: Perhaps the most vital aspect of cybersecurity is ensuring that all employees are adequately trained. A business’s security can only be as strong as its weakest link, and cyber-attacks can target any staff member. Regular cybersecurity training for employees is essential to safeguarding the organisation.
Milan Bosman, Commercial Director at Hypernode, commented on the significance of these practices, stating, “Warnings from experts about the rise in cybercrime in the UK have proven accurate. With cybercrime projected to increase by 15% globally in 2024, the importance of maintaining cyber hygiene cannot be overstated.
“As we observe Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, it is an opportune moment for businesses to review their cybersecurity regulations and ensure all staff members are educated about potential threats.”
As UK businesses face an increasing number of cyber threats, implementing these essential cyber hygiene practices is critical to safeguarding against potential breaches and ensuring the overall security of their operations.