How Businesses Can Stay Protected In Light Of NCSC’s Findings

The findings from the annual report of the National Cyber Security Centre today revealed that UK businesses are facing a growing threat from cyber-attacks. In response to this, please see comment below from David Emm, Principal Security Researcher at Kaspersky Lab commented below. 

David Emm, Principal Security Researcher at Kaspersky Lab:

“Businesses come in all shapes and sizes, but in today’s world, no organisation, large or small, can afford to ignore online security. Whether you’re a team operating out of an office, or an individual working from home, cybersecurity is an issue that every business should prioritise. In light of the recent findings from the National Cyber Security Centre, it simply comes down to being prepared – and there are several steps that businesses should take to arm themselves against threats. Although businesses have no direct control over the growth of cybercrime, by taking simple steps to secure their internal systems, they can reduce their exposure to attack.”

Kaspersky Lab recommends the following advice for businesses to stay prepared:

• Conduct a security audit– Identifying your business’s security strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for improvements will provide a good foundation for your future decision-making process on appropriate technology and other measures
• Choose the right anti-malware protection– Choosing the right security software will allow you to feel relaxed and comfortable that your business is adequately protected, without the hassle of managing an expensive or overly elaborate security solution.
• Keep your software up to date– Apply updates to your operating systems and applications as soon as they become available (switch on automatic updates where this is available). Remember, programs that haven’t been updated are one of the key means that cybercriminals use to hack businesses
• Back up– Plan for the worst-case scenario: infection. It’s vital to back up your files – so that, if your documents are compromised, you can restore your files with minimal disruption
• Educate your staff about browsing behaviours– The starting point for most attacks is tricking people into doing something that allows attackers to get a foothold. Therefore, proactively educating your staff about the impact their online activity can have on the business will help to reduce your exposure to online threats significantly.