Strengthen Your Cyber Resilience

The National Cyber Security Centre has urged UK businesses and organisations to strengthen their cyber security resilience in response to cyber incidents that have been happening in and around Ukraine.

While no threats have currently been identified to the UK, guidance has been issued to ensure we all stay ahead of any potential malicious attacks and appropriately prepare ourselves.

We’ve compiled some of their suggestions to ensure your business is kept safe.

1. Check your system patching

Patching is the process of repairing any vulnerabilities or flaws that are identified after new software is released or updated.

Ensuring your team’s laptops, desktops, phones, and tablets are all kept up-to-date will help ensure any identified vulnerabilities have been patched. You will also need to do this for third-party software such as browsers, applications, and firmware.

2. Verify who has access

Taking some time to check over your software’s accounts and who they belong to can be a quick but useful step. Make sure to remove any old accounts from past staff members, as these might become vulnerable over time or give access to people who are no longer relevant.

Ensure all of your team members use unique passwords for business-related accounts and systems that they do not use for any other purpose. Make sure to change any passwords that are considered ‘weak’ quickly.

Implementing multi-factor authentication is wise, but make sure it is properly configured across devices.

If any third-party organisations have access to your IT network or accounts, make sure you are aware of who specifically has access and what level of privilege they require. Make sure to remove any user access when it is no longer required.

3. Put up your defences

A simple step, but an important one. Make sure you have antivirus software installed on all systems, and make sure to regularly check that it is active and updated.

Check your firewall settings as well to make sure there are no temporary rules that have been left in place beyond their needed timeframe.

4. Keep backups

Should the worst happen and your system be compromised, ensuring you have a recent backup of all your system files that have been kept offline is essential. Make sure the appropriate staff members are carrying out regular backups, or set up automatic backups where possible.

5. Keep your staff up to do

Make sure your staff is aware of the need for heightened security and everything they should be doing to keep themselves and your company safe. Sharing information about system security, phishing emails, and your expectations can help.

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