October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, a good reminder for businesses to take a look at how they’re protecting their systems, data and customers. Most businesses rely on technology for just about everything these days. Emails, payments, bookings, customer records and day-to-day communication all depend on systems working as they should.
But how often do you actually stop and think about how secure those systems are?
Cyber security is something that can easily get pushed down the to-do list, particularly when you’re busy running a business. Unfortunately, it often only becomes a priority when something goes wrong. The good news is that there are plenty of straightforward steps you can take to reduce the risks.
Cyber Security Isn't Just a Concern for Large Companies
It’s easy to think cyber criminals are only interested in large organisations, but smaller businesses can be affected too. The UK Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey regularly highlights just how common cyber attacks are, with phishing remaining one of the biggest issues facing businesses.
And the impact isn’t always limited to stolen information. Imagine losing access to your emails for a day, being unable to take payments or discovering that important customer files have disappeared.
For a hotel, that could mean problems accessing bookings. For a construction company, it might be lost project information or invoices. Even a relatively small IT issue can cause a lot of disruption when your business depends on those systems.
That’s why it’s worth taking cyber security seriously, whatever the size of your business.
7 Things Worth Checking This Cyber Security Awareness Month
You don’t necessarily need to overhaul your entire IT setup to improve your security. Often, it’s a case of making sure the basics are being done properly.
Here are a few things we’d recommend looking at.
1. Are Your Emails Properly Protected?
Email is still one of the most common ways criminals target businesses. We’ve all seen the obvious scam emails, but some are much harder to spot. They might appear to come from a supplier you regularly deal with, a colleague or even a customer.
One particularly common trick involves sending fake invoices or asking businesses to update payment details.
If an email doesn’t seem quite right, don’t be afraid to question it. And if someone asks you to change their bank details, always double-check using a phone number you already know is genuine. It’s a simple habit that could save your business a lot of trouble.
2. Are You Using Multi-Factor Authentication?
A strong password is a good starting point, but on its own it isn’t always enough. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds another layer of security when signing in to your accounts.
You might already use it for online banking, but it’s just as important for your business email, Microsoft 365 accounts and other services containing sensitive information. It’s also worth making sure staff aren’t reusing the same passwords across several accounts.
3. When Were Your Systems Last Updated?
We know software updates can be inconvenient, particularly when they pop up in the middle of a busy working day. But those updates often include important security fixes.
Running outdated software can leave gaps that criminals may be able to exploit. Make sure your computers, laptops, phones and other business devices are being updated regularly. If you have several employees or multiple locations, it’s worth having a proper process in place to manage this.
4. Could You Recover Your Files if Something Went Wrong?
It’s one thing to have a backup. It’s another to know that it actually works. Think about the information your business relies on every day. Customer records, invoices, accounts, bookings, documents and emails.
If those files suddenly became unavailable, how quickly could you get everything back? Reliable backups are an important part of protecting your business, but they should also be checked and tested regularly.
At KCS, we help businesses put suitable backup and disaster recovery solutions in place, so there’s a plan if something does go wrong.
5. Does Everyone Still Need Access to Everything?
This is something that can easily get overlooked. When somebody joins your business, changes roles or leaves, it’s important to review which systems and files they can access.
Old user accounts and unnecessary administrator permissions can create security risks if they’re left unchecked. It’s worth having a quick review every so often to make sure access is limited to the people who actually need it.
6. Is Your Business Network Secure?
Your network is what keeps all your devices and systems connected, so it’s important to make sure it’s properly protected. Firewalls, secure Wi-Fi and network monitoring all have a part to play in keeping unwanted activity out of your business systems.
At KCS, we provide next-generation firewall solutions alongside ongoing IT support to help businesses keep their networks secure. For many businesses, having someone keeping an eye on things and dealing with potential problems early can make a big difference.
7. Do Your Staff Know What to Look Out For?
Not every cyber security issue starts with a technical problem. Sometimes it’s something as simple as someone clicking the wrong link or opening an unexpected attachment.
Making sure your team knows how to recognise suspicious emails and who to speak to if something doesn’t look right is just as important as having the right security software. You don’t need everyone to be an IT expert. A little awareness can go a long way.
Is Cyber Essentials Worth Considering?
If you’re looking to improve your business’s cyber security, Cyber Essentials is another good place to start. It’s a UK Government-backed certification scheme that helps organisations protect themselves against common cyber threats.
It covers five key areas of IT security, including firewalls, secure configuration, security updates, user access and malware protection. It’s also becoming increasingly relevant for businesses working with larger organisations or applying for certain contracts, where certification may be a requirement.
At KCS, we help businesses prepare for Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certification, including advice on what needs improving and support with making those changes. You can read more about the scheme on the National Cyber Security Centre website.
How KCS Can Help Your Business
We’ve been providing IT support to businesses across Keswick, Cumbria and beyond since 1998, and we understand that every business works a little differently. Some customers need help keeping their computers and software up to date. Others need more comprehensive support with network security, backups, Microsoft 365 or Cyber Essentials certification.
Whatever your setup, our approach is the same. We aim to make IT straightforward, offering practical advice and reliable support without all the unnecessary technical jargon.
Our services include:
Business IT support and maintenance
Cyber security and network protection
Microsoft 365 and email security
Data backup and disaster recovery
Cyber Essentials certification support
Managed IT services and ongoing monitoring
We’re also a local team, so if something needs looking at in person, we’re not hundreds of miles away.
A Good Time to Check the Basics
Cyber Security Awareness Month is a useful reminder, but keeping your business secure is something worth thinking about throughout the year. You don’t have to make huge changes overnight. Reviewing your passwords, checking your backups, keeping software updated and making sure your staff know what to look out for are all good places to start.
And if you’re not sure where to begin, that’s where we can help.
At KCS, we’re always happy to have a chat about your current IT setup and whether there’s anything you could be doing differently.
If you’d like some advice on keeping your business secure, get in touch with our team or give us a call on 017687 75526.
