Get Ready for the Holidays: Essential Tips to Keep Your Business Secure 🎄🎁❄️💻🔒📧🛡️

With Black Friday and Christmas fast approaching, now’s the time to make sure your business is protected. This is one of the busiest times of year for online shopping and sales, and unfortunately, it’s also a peak time for cyber-attacks. We’ve put together some easy steps to keep your business secure so you can enjoy the season with peace of mind. 🎄🎅🎁✨❄️🦌

Phishing attacks and cybercrime significantly increase around Black Friday. In fact, according to the 2023 Cyber Security Breaches Survey, 32% of UK businesses reported experiencing a cybersecurity breach, with phishing being one of the most common attack methods. During busy shopping periods like Black Friday, businesses are particularly vulnerable due to increased online activity, making it a prime target for scammers.         

• Enable Two-Step Sign-Ins for Extra Security 🔐 Adding an extra layer of protection helps keep hackers out, even if they have your password.
• Double-Check Your Cyber Safety Net 💾 Backups are essential to safeguard your data. Ensure your backups are up-to-date and stored securely.
• Stay Vigilant Against Black Friday Scams 🎯 Scammers love Black Friday! Be extra cautious of phishing emails and fraudulent deals during this busy time.
• Review Your Hardware: Avoid Outdated & Unsupported Products 🖥️ Legacy systems and unsupported software can be easy targets for cyber-attacks. Check if your hardware or software is outdated and upgrade if necessary.
• Prepare Your Team with Phishing Awareness 🎓 Train staff to spot phishing attempts. Human error remains one of the biggest risks to your business’s security.
• Mobile Device Security 📱Ensure all mobile devices accessing your business network are encrypted and have security software installed to protect against breaches, especially as remote working increases.
• Work Closely with Your IT Business Partner🤝 Ensure your IT service provider is on the ball with proactive security measures and recommendations. Book your Technology Business Review with your account manager to assess the current state of your IT infrastructure and plan ahead for 2025. This proactive approach will help identify potential vulnerabilities and set a clear roadmap for the coming year.

We hope these tips help you enjoy a worry-free holiday!

Join Our Upcoming Cybersecurity Webinar: Safeguarding Against Cyber Threats!

🔒 Cyber Security 101: Essentials of Cyber Security

💡 Practical Tips to Secure Your Online Activities and Data

🤖 How AI is Changing Cyber Security—Both the Risks and the Solutions

❓ Q&A Session - Ask What You Like! (We’ll follow up on any unanswered questions)

📅 Date: Wednesday 20th November

🕒 Time:10am

📍 Link to register: https://lnkd.in/e7Yqhd6T

Cyber Security Survey Links: 2023 GOV.UK 2024 GOV.UK