In today’s world of modern business, we have to deal with a huge variety of cyber security threats, unscrupulous individuals or organisations can bring down a whole businesses IT system in a matter of minutes. Last years global ransomware attack demonstrated the extent of the potential threat, with Mikko Hypponen, chief research officer at the Helsinki-based cybersecurity company F-Secure, calling the attack “the biggest ransomware outbreak in history.” ¹
The recent Experian Data Breach Preparedness study stated that a massive 51% of UK SMEs do not view cyber security as a priority². However, the consequences of an attack on a business’s IT system can be serious, with the potential to cause reputational and financial damage.
It can be exceptionally easy for hackers to penetrate IT systems, making the potential for damage very real. Viruses like ransomware are often delivered via emails which trick the recipient into opening attachments and releasing malware onto their system in a technique known as phishing.
So what can you do to avoid a breach? It can be daunting for SME’s without a dedicated IT department to begin the process of tightening up security, but there are some simple steps you can take. Users should ensure that their computer software is always up to date. Often important security updates are contained within these downloads and can prevent known viruses from infecting a device.
It is important to consider email security, as this can be one of the largest target areas for attacks. All corporate emails should be scanned for viruses and malware before reaching your internal network. Employees should be vigilant regarding email security, and should be made aware of what a possible phishing email might look like.
C4i Systems decided to take Cyber Security more seriously earlier this year, and became Cyber Essentials certified, and this is something that any business can do. The Cyber Essentials scheme has been developed by UK Government and industry to provide guidelines regarding the clear steps that businesses should be taking to avoid internet based threats. And through the Assurance Framework it offers a mechanism for organisations like ourselves to demonstrate to customers, investors, insurers and others that they have taken these essential precautions. This certification lets existing and potential customers know that you are taking serious steps to ensure that their data is safe and secure with you, and this can provide a real competitive advantage.
The final, and one of the of the best options to consider is an IT upgrade, helping you achieve the highest level of security, and this is where we can help you. All of our server solutions utilise the revolutionary BioDigitalPC®, which has been externally validated to IL3 level for use in conjunction with BeCrypt™ DiskProtect® solutions. This allows the user the peace of mind that if required to handle more sensitive information, they can continue to use BioDigital® solutions. BioDigitalPC®’s are hot swappable, provide ultimate portability and are suitable for any computing application, so they are a really versatile choice.
No matter the size or nature of your business big or small, cyber security is vital. If you are interested in upgrading your Data Centre or PC’s to ensure maximum security, please get in touch.