Running a business isn’t easy, no matter what industry you’re in, how long you’ve been operating, or how big you team is. Consistent growth is key to staying ahead of your competitors, so you need every advantage you can gain. Cyber security not only keeps your business running; it’s also crucial for growth.
Do Businesses need Cybersecurity?
In 2024, there have been nearly 8 million cyber-attacks on UK businesses so far, and we’re barely into the second quarter. 50% of businesses are estimated to experience a cyber attack at some point this year. With so much at stake, that’s not a coin flip you should bet on.
With quality cybersecurity systems in place, you can minimise the risk. We pride ourselves in providing the best, most advanced cyber security, that can keep pace even as the cyber attacks become more sophisticated.
It isn’t just improved IT systems either. We offer cyber-awareness training tailored to your business, as well as advanced monitoring that prevents attacks before they do any damage.
What is a Cyber Attack?
It may sound like something from science fiction, but cyber-attacks are a very real threat to any business. No matter your industry or how big your company is, it’s a risk you can’t ignore. But what is a cyber-attack?
Cyber attacks intend to steal, destroy, alter, or disable your data and/or digital assets. These hackers’ motivations vary, from an attempt to sabotage you on behalf of a rival, steal valuable information that isn’t public knowledge, or simply show off their ability to peers. This is especially dangerous in industries such as manufacturing and production, where trade secrets are the secret to success.
The severity of these attacks can vary. Large companies may suffer ransomware attacks, in which case they are charged a ransom or else the data will be destroyed or leaked. Even if you take legal action, this is costly, and results in a lot of downtime for your operation.
The worst data that can be stolen is the personal information of your clients and customers. If hackers get access to this information, you may not only have to pay fines, but your reputation and relationship with your customer based will be damaged irreparably.
When you discover you’ve been hacked, you need to recover the data as quickly as possible. If you have the correct cloud backups in place, such as cloud-based solutions, this is fairly painless, at least compared to the alternative. It can still result in downtime for your business, but if you incorporate advanced cyber security, the impact is minimal, if the attacks are even successful.
Types of Cyber Attack
There are a number of ways that your data can be accessed by an individual with malicious intent. These include:
- Hacking
- Phishing
- Malicious Software
- Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) Attacks
These have similar goals but differ greatly. Let’s go over them one at a time.
Hacking
The most direct cyber-attack, hacking involves exploiting weaknesses in a business’ IT systems to gain access to unauthorised data. This is most often achieved via social media and stolen passwords.
A company with modern cyber security systems becomes much more difficult to hack, so often their targets are older companies that are behind on the times or have become complacent about their data security.
Our systems reinforce your existing IT, as well as providing 24/7 monitoring that will detect any hacking attempts and ensure they aren’t successful.
Phishing
It may surprise you to know that the most common cyber-attacks don’t involve talented hackers or advanced software. They take a much subtler approach and rely on human error for success.
These phishing attempts are most often in the form of emails. They look like they’ve come from inside your company, using stolen emails from your colleagues that look genuine even under scrutiny. By asking for personal details, log ins, or important documents, scammers can gain more of a foothold on your systems or steal data directly from your team.
The best ways to prevent phishing attempts from succeeding are improved communication systems and cyber awareness training for your staff. If you have a bespoke email system, any emails that aren’t real will stand out like a sore thumb or will be flagged by our continuous monitoring.
We also provide cyber awareness training, teaching your team how to spot phishing emails. This will ensure they can spot any that slip through the cracks.
Malicious Software
Malicious software, more commonly known as ‘malware’ is a program that is installed remotely onto your computer or server. Its intent is to disrupt or allow hackers to access data easily.
Types of malware include:
- Viruses
- Worms
- Spyware
- Ransomware
- And more!
These programs can be installed without your knowledge by clicking links in emails or on sites that aren’t secure. They can go hand in hand with phishing attempts like we mentioned earlier.
By locking up or damaging your systems, malware can cause huge headaches for a business owner, and they’re getting more sophisticated every year. But with our systems, you can rest assured that nothing can be installed without your IT team’s permission.
Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) Attacks
A DDOS attack works by flooding your systems using a large amount of online traffic. This can overload your IT, or even defraud your company in some cases. These are rarer than other cyber-attacks but can have a much larger impact.
DDOS attacks can also be used to find vulnerabilities in your IT systems. It’s a test to see if the systems can be exploited in other ways. These attacks are smaller and can be confused with a small increase in natural traffic. Then a much larger attack is executed, overloading your servers or website.
The more sophisticated your cyber security, the harder it is to flood your site. If it’s obvious from the start that you have advanced systems in place, it can be a natural deterrent for hackers.
How to Prevent Cyber Attacks
We’ve mentioned briefly how our services can improve your cyber security, now let’s talk about them in more detail.
Industry-Leading Cybersecurity
The world of cyber attacks moves fast. With huge networks of hackers all sharing and improving the tools at their disposal, what works once won’t always work again. At ExpressIT, we don’t just keep up, we stay one step ahead.
Unlike off-the-shelf cyber security, our systems evolve. We don’t set them up and leave you to it, they change and adapt as you grow. If any weaknesses develop, we’re always close at hand to ensure you have the best solutions.
Secure Data and Recovery
By backing up your data, we enable you to keep working even if the worst does happen. We can then support you as you recover what is lost, while your operation continues to thrive in the background.
Cyber Awareness Training
Our secure systems don’t just protect you from external attacks. The most dangerous cyber-attacks occur from inside your company. In every industry, there are people who will stop at nothing to gain an advantage, even exploiting your own team to leak data. By providing cyber awareness training, we help your staff to safeguard your systems, and will be confident in their ability to prevent data breaches.
Risk Mitigation
When it comes to IT, there are a lot of hoops to jump through to stay compliant. We help you navigate legislation, without losing out on IT security. This in turn helps you avoid costly penalties and damaging the reputation you rely on to succeed.
Monitoring and Management
Last but not least, we provide a complete managed IT service. With the best monitoring tools at our disposal, we can detect any malicious activity, preventing it before it becomes an issue. Our professional engineers are also experts in swift incident response and provide the fastest disaster recovery possible.
We even have dark web monitoring services, which can detect any of your data that may have gone missing or duplicated without your knowledge. If we find anything, we act fast to strengthen your defences, so no more harm is done.
The Best Cybersecurity Services
Cyber security isn’t something a growing business can afford to ignore. If your systems fall behind the curve, you risk losing all you’ve built up so far. Don’t worry, we’re here to help.
If you have any questions about cyber security, what we do, or how we do it, please get in touch. You can also check out our blog for the latest insights and advice on how your IT can thrive.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Express IT: Navigating Tomorrow’s Challenges Today a message from Adam
While understanding and navigating the complexities of cybersecurity can be daunting, there’s no need to brave these storms alone. Enter Express IT. Rooted in local community values, Express IT stands as a testament to resilience and growth, especially when it comes to technology.
Our pledge is simple yet profound: your business’s growth through technology is our mission. With Express IT by your side:
- Expertise is Just a Call Away: Whether it’s updating software, implementing strong password policies, or crafting a foolproof cyber incident response plan, our knowledgeable team is ever-ready to guide and assist.
- Pioneering Solutions for Modern Problems: The story of Express IT, particularly our founder Adam’s journey, exemplifies innovation and adaptation. The same spirit drives our solutions tailored for your unique IT needs.
- Beyond Tech Support – A Partnership: Myself and the team know the profound difference dedicated, proactive support can make. Just like we transformed systems for a Signage Firm in Haydock, ensuring two uninterrupted years of smooth operation, we aim to do the same for you.
- Staying Ahead with Continuous Learning: The IT landscape evolves rapidly. Express IT not only keeps pace but also ensures our partners do. From FMCG to Manufacturing sectors, our experience is broad, ensuring a vast knowledge pool to tap into.
- So, as i emphasize the importance of being proactive in cybersecurity, remember that with Express IT, you have a partner who understands the terrain and possesses the tools to make your digital journey secure and efficient.
