Top 5 ways to improve your cyber security

Table of contents

Why do businesses need effective cyber security?

The top 5 improvements

Internal vs. external cyber security

How can penetration testing help?

Boost your defences today

Let’s face it: cyber security is no longer something you can shrug off with a weak password like “password123”. With 50% of businesses targeted by cybercriminals each year, it's not a question of if your company will face an attack, but when. One of the biggest reasons for a breach? Human error. So, if you’re looking to beef up your cyber security quickly, here are five steps you can take today. Of course, in the long term, you’ll need a robust cyber security improvement plan to stay truly protected—but for now, let’s focus on the quick wins.

Why do businesses need effective cyber security?

It’s more than just protecting your bank account—though, let’s be real, nobody wants a surprise zero balance. A strong cyber security setup is about safeguarding your employees and customers. Data breaches don't just cost money—they cost trust. And in a world where trust is fragile and competition fierce, can you really afford to lose it? Especially if your business handles sensitive data, a breach could lead to serious damage beyond what’s on your balance sheet.

According to recent research, the average cost of a data breach in 2023 is around £3.5 million. Small businesses, often perceived as 'easy targets,' are increasingly facing these costly breaches. So, how well prepared are you to minimise the impact when the inevitable happens?

The top 5 improvements

Here’s the good stuff. Five simple, yet highly effective, steps you can take right now to bolster your business cyber security:

Having a plan

Before anything else, create a cyber security improvement plan. You wouldn’t go into a business meeting without an agenda (we hope), so don’t wait for a cyber attack to figure out what to do. A well-thought-out plan will not only give you clear steps to follow in case of a breach but also help prevent one in the first place. Prioritise threats, identify your weakest points, and map out how you’ll protect your sensitive data. This plan will form the backbone of your long-term cyber defence strategy.

Passwords/MFA

Ah, passwords—the bane of our digital lives. But seriously, weak passwords are one of the biggest vulnerabilities in business cyber security. Implementing strong password policies across your team is essential, but what’s better than a strong password? Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Even if someone cracks a password, MFA adds an extra layer of protection, meaning your data isn’t just a single set of credentials away from falling into the wrong hands.

Cyber Security Awareness training

Humans are… well, human. And humans make mistakes. In fact, human error is the leading cause of security breaches. That’s why regular cyber security awareness training is one of the best investments you can make. Get your team clued up on cyber security best practices—everything from recognizing phishing emails to understanding the importance of data protection. An informed team is your first line of defence.

Protect your network

Imagine your business network as a digital fortress. Now imagine it with gaps in the walls. Doesn’t feel very secure, does it? Firewalls, antivirus software, and intrusion detection systems are your digital armour. Protecting your network means regularly updating these defences, ensuring your firewall settings are correctly configured, and that your antivirus software is up-to-date. Cybercriminals are evolving, and so should your security measures.

Scan for other vulnerabilities

When was the last time you ran a vulnerability scan on your systems? Cybercriminals love to exploit unpatched software or weak points in your infrastructure. Regular vulnerability scans and penetration testing can help identify these issues before they become major problems. It’s like getting a health check-up for your IT systems—better to catch problems early than deal with a full-blown crisis later.

Internal vs. external cyber security

Now that we’ve covered the top quick-fixes, let’s talk about who should be handling all this. Should you keep your cyber security in-house or outsource to the experts?

Internally managing cyber security gives you complete control and direct oversight, which is great if you have a dedicated IT team with the right expertise. However, as threats evolve, your team might struggle to keep up. On the other hand, outsourcing to a managed service provider (MSP) ensures you’re always up-to-date with the latest security measures, often at a fraction of the cost of hiring an in-house specialist team.

Each option has its pros and cons, and what works for one company may not work for another. Check out our guide on Internal vs. Managed IT Services for more insights to help you make the right choice.

How can penetration testing help?

You wouldn’t leave your front door wide open and hope for the best, right? Well, that's essentially what you're doing if you’re not proactively testing the strength of your cyber security defences. This is where penetration testing comes into play, often referred to as a “pen test.” It’s like hiring ethical hackers to break into your systems—only instead of stealing your data, they tell you exactly how they did it so you can fix the gaps.

Here’s how it benefits your company:

• Early Detection of Vulnerabilities: Penetration testing allows you to find weak points before hackers do, helping you plug gaps and avoid costly breaches.
• Compliance Assurance: Many industries require regular security testing to comply with regulations. Penetration testing helps ensure you're meeting these standards and protecting sensitive data.
• Improved Incident Response: By simulating a real-world attack, pen testing helps your team practise their response to a breach, reducing panic and improving response times when a real threat occurs.
• Cost Savings: Fixing vulnerabilities before they’re exploited can save you from significant financial losses down the road, both in terms of direct costs (ransomware payments, data recovery) and indirect costs (reputation damage, lost customers).

Boost your defences today

Ready to take your business cyber security to the next level? Focus Group can help you with everything from vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to staff training and network security. Plus, we’re available 24/7, ensuring your company is always covered. Whether you need help implementing these quick improvements or want to build a comprehensive cyber security improvement plan, our experts are on hand to help.

Why wait for a breach when you can prevent one? Speak to us today to find the right package for your business, or take advantage of our free service to identify any gaps in your defences. Because at the end of the day, you’ve got better things to focus on than the next cyber threat.