As your trusted partner in IT solutions, Nexus has spent 25 years mastering the intricate world of information technology. Today, in the spirit of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we’re delving into the cybersecurity landscape to uncover its challenges and provide you with our top 10 tips to safeguard your digital assets.
In an era where everything is digital, the stakes in cybersecurity have never been higher. With a mass of evolving threats, businesses grapple with a myriad of challenges to protect their systems and data.
But why is cybersecurity such a growing concern for businesses of all sizes?
The ever-changing threat landscape
Cybersecurity’s adversary is relentless, with new threats and vulnerabilities emerging at an alarming pace. Staying one step ahead is challenging as cybercriminals, often nation state sponsored, continuously innovate new techniques and technologies to breach systems and steal data. From ransomware to AI-driven attacks, the array of threats is ever-expanding, and this means business defences need to continually evolve too.
The boundless nature of modern IT environments
Modern IT setups are now a dispersed web of interconnected pieces, with on-premises, cloud, and hybrid systems, each having its own security needs. Keeping this distributed digital network secure is no walk in the park – there’s no single office firewall behind which everything is protected. The mix of different systems and platforms means that everything has to be protected, wherever it is, incorporating the strategies of Zero Trust and Defence in Depth. Even the smallest week point can be exploited by eager cybercriminals.
Cybersecurity skills shortages
The need for cybersecurity experts is at an all-time high, but there just aren’t enough of them to go around. This shortage of skilled professionals is a big problem for companies trying to protect their digital assets. One major reason for the increase in cyberattacks is that there aren’t enough skilled cybersecurity experts to defend against them. The rising number and complexity of cyberattacks make it clear that we need more experts to join the fight.
So now we understand why protecting our business has never been more important, but what can we do about it? Here are our top 10 tips to keep your business and data safe:
1 – Embrace Cybersecurity Training as a Culture
Promote an internal culture of cybersecurity awareness. Conduct regular training sessions for all employees, teaching them how to identify and respond to threats. Your employees are your first line of defence.
2 – Identities and Permissions
When an individual starts at an organisation, especially those employed remotely, ensure sufficient checks have been carried out to prove their identity.
Access and permissions should be limited to allow no more than is absolutely necessary to complete their role.
If Cybercriminal manages to gain access to a user account one of the first reconnaissance steps they will take is to test and try and elevate permissions.
3 – Secure Physical Access
While we often focus on digital threats, don’t forget about physical security. Ensure that sensitive data and equipment are physically secured. Implement door access controls, security badges, locked cabinets and surveillance to prevent unauthorised access.
4 – Regular Data Backups with Testing
Back up your data regularly, and make sure to test the backups to ensure they can be restored.
Follow the 3-2-1 backup strategy, 3 copies of your data on 2 different types of media with one off-site for disaster recovery
Having a secure backup system in place can save your business in the event of a ransomware attack or data loss.
5 – Monitor Third-Party Vendors
Be cautious about the security practices of third-party vendors and suppliers. They may have access to your systems or data. Conduct due diligence on their cybersecurity measures and require them to meet your security standards.
6 – Adopt Zero Trust Security
Zero Trust means trusting nothing inside or outside your network until it’s verified. Implement strong access controls, continuous monitoring, and identity verification, across every device rather than relying on traditional perimeter security.
7 – Set up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
MFA is crucial because it adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide multiple forms of identification, making it significantly harder for unauthorised individuals to gain access to sensitive accounts or data.
8 – Keep your software up to date
Keeping software up to date is vital for cybersecurity because it ensures that vulnerabilities are patched and security features are current, reducing the risk of exploitation by cybercriminals.
9 – Take advantage of the cloud
Embracing the cloud can be beneficial for cybersecurity as reputable cloud providers often invest heavily in advanced security measures, helping businesses safeguard their data and systems more effectively than they might on their own.
10 – Work with a trusted advisor
If you don’t have an expert in house, look to work with a reputable IT partner who has longevity and a list of happy clients. Take time to assess their credentials and read their testimonials and reviews.
Our in-house Security Specialist, Julian Dean comments “At Nexus, we recognise the critical importance of staying ahead of the game. Our commitment to safeguarding your business goes beyond technology; it’s about creating a culture of cybersecurity awareness, securing every facet of your digital environment, and forging partnerships that fortify your defences. With over two decades of experience, we’re your trusted advisors in the ever-changing battle against cyber threats.”
Keen to learn more?
Our partner Sonicwall recently released their 2023 Cyber Threat Landscape report – tracking cybercriminals in the shadows. Find out about global attack trends including which threats are reducing and which are on the rise in this informative PDF.
A good IT partner will be current on latest best practice and standards. They’ll advise you on the right security strategy and offer a range of monitoring solutions. You can get on with what you do best, safe in the knowledge that your business is being proactively secured from attack.
Safeguarding UK businesses for 25 years, we’re here to protect your cyber frontlines. Thanks to our extensive South West coverage, we are able to offer professional cyber security services in Exeter, Bristol, Cardiff & Birmingham, as wel as surrounding areas. Speak with our experts now on 01392 205095 or email us at hello@nexusos.co.uk to fortify your cybersecurity defences today.
