Staying One Step Ahead of Cyber Threats
In April 2025, big-name UK retailers like Marks & Spencer, Harrods, and the Co-op were hit by a series of cyberattacks that threw their systems into chaos. Online services went down, customer data was compromised, and the financial impact ran into the millions.
Cyberattacks are on the rise, and being cyber-aware is no longer optional; it’s essential. Businesses of all sizes are at risk. Cybercrime is rapidly evolving, ranging from personal data theft to major business disruptions.
Here’s how to safeguard your digital assets and personal data with today’s best practices:
🔐 Use Strong, Unique Passwords and a Password Manager
Weak or reused passwords remain a top vulnerability in cyberattacks. Use long, complex passwords that include a mix of characters, and never reuse passwords. Password managers like NordPass, Bitwarden, or 1Password can help you securely store and generate strong passwords, reducing human error and improving compliance.
Top Tip: Don’t store passwords in browsers. Use a dedicated password manager with zero-knowledge encryption.
✅ Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Everywhere
MFA is one of the most effective ways to prevent unauthorised access. Today’s MFA options include biometrics, authenticator apps, and hardware tokens. SMS-based MFA is better than nothing, but increasingly vulnerable to SIM swapping.
📧 Stay Alert to Phishing and Social Engineering
Phishing scams are more advanced than ever, often using AI to create realistic emails, texts, and even voice messages (known as vishing). Look for signs of manipulation: urgency, unexpected links, or suspicious attachments. Always verify requests through a trusted secondary channel.
Be aware of QR code phishing and deepfake video calls impersonating colleagues.
🔄 Keep Devices Patched and Secure
Unpatched software is a goldmine for attackers. Use automated patch management tools or MDM (Mobile Device Management) solutions to enforce updates across all devices like laptops, desktops, smartphones, and even IoT devices.
🛡️ Deploy Next-Gen Endpoint Protection
Traditional antivirus isn’t enough. Invest in modern endpoint detection and response (EDR) or extended detection and response (XDR) solutions like SentinelOne, CrowdStrike, or Microsoft Defender for Business. These use AI to detect and isolate unusual activity in real time.
🧠 Run Regular Cyber Awareness Training
Human error is still the biggest security risk. Conduct regular, mandatory training to educate staff on phishing, social engineering, password best practices, and reporting procedures. Simulated phishing tests and role-specific training are increasingly popular and effective.
🌐 Lock Down Internet Access and Device Use
Disable USB ports via Group Policy to prevent unauthorised data transfers. Limit admin rights and restrict access to high-risk sites. Use DNS filtering tools like Cisco Umbrella or Cloudflare Gateway to block malicious websites before users can access them.
📱 Secure Remote Work and Wi-Fi Use
Remote working is standard now, but public Wi-Fi is still dangerous. Use a corporate VPN or SD-WAN solution to encrypt data in transit. Mandate device encryption and screen timeouts on all company devices.
📷 Review Social Media and Online Exposure
Criminals often gather information from public profiles for social engineering attacks. Regularly review privacy settings and remove sensitive business information from personal or company profiles on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and X. Ensure staff are trained to recognise how seemingly harmless posts can be weaponised by attackers.
☁️ Back Up Wisely and Test Restores
Backups are your safety net when all else fails. Use a 3-2-1 strategy: 3 copies of data, 2 on different media, and 1 off-site or in the cloud. Test your recovery process regularly; many businesses discover too late that their backups are incomplete or corrupt.
🔎 Check Website Security Before Sharing Information
Only share personal or business data on websites that use HTTPS and have valid security certificates. Watch out for lookalike domains designed to trick you (like amaz0n.co instead of amazon.com). To stay safer online, consider using tools like HTTPS Everywhere or DNS filtering. On mobile, stick to official apps from trusted app stores and double-check links before clicking, as phishing attempts often target smartphones through texts and emails.
⚠️ Have an Incident Response Plan
Hope is not a strategy. Create a written incident response plan that outlines exactly how to handle breaches, ransomware attacks, and data loss. Test it regularly with tabletop exercises to make sure your team is ready when it counts.
🚨 Stay Ahead of Cyber Threats
Stay informed by following reliable cybersecurity sources. You can also subscribe to threat intelligence feeds or vulnerability alerts tailored to your industry to stay ahead of emerging risks.
Being cyber savvy in 2025 is about creating a strong security culture, not just using the right tools. Equip your team with knowledge, keep your defences up to date, and stay vigilant against new threats. The most effective protection comes from a proactive, multi-layered approach built on awareness and adaptability.
If you’d like to know more about the solutions we can offer to protect your business and explore which insurance options are right for you, give us a call on 03300 198409, or fill out our quote form today!
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