While the cyber security of your business should always be a high priority, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine means that businesses may be at an increased risk of a cyber-attack.
Although at the moment of writing this blog there is no direct threat, the West is placing a range of sanctions on Russia. There could be retaliation, and Russia has used cyber-attacks in the past.
But what does all this means for your business?
Advice from the National Cyber Security Centre urges UK businesses to bolster security measures and follow its guidance on the steps to take when cyber security risk is heightened.
Businesses of all sizes will be at risk as the aim of a cyber attack will be to cause as much disruption as possible.
It means that you can’t afford to slack off on your usual cyber security measures. If there is something that you have been meaning to get around to doing, do it now.
There are several things we advise you to check you have in place or put in place …
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The first thing you need to make sure you have in place is a working backup. Should you fall victim to a cyber attack you will still be able to access all of your data and documents.
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Ensure that all your applications, systems, and devices are running the latest updates and that any relevant patches are in place. You should also make sure best practice is being followed when it comes to password hygiene. Consider using a password generator like ours.
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Make use of password managers to ensure your whole team uses unique passwords that are less susceptible to brute force attacks. You should also seriously consider using multi-factor authentification across your applications for a higher level of security.
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Check your incident response and recovery plans are up-to-date and that everyone is aware of the steps they should take if they suspect a security breach. Your people need to know who to report a possible breach to, and who is responsible for protecting the business.
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You may also want to consider company-wide cyber security training. This really does mean everyone from the most senior employee to the most junior. This will help to make everyone aware of the most common threats, and teach them how to spot scams and phishing emails.
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Finally, if you are unsure that you have the right precautions in place, speak to an expert who can help put your mind at ease and make sure your business is as protected as possible.
We are here to help. If you have any concerns that your cyber security has fallen behind, call us, and we will check.