Phishing is a fraudulent attempt to gain access to confidential data by using email and social engineering to dupe the recipients. Often an email is targeted at a specific individual or department within an organisation.

Attackers encourage users to ‘do the wrong thing’ and disclose information or click on a bad link. The bad link (if clicked) will download a trojan horse virus. The trojan horse virus then creates a back door for cyber criminals to spy, steal data and access your system. All attackers need are your contact details. The most common phishing attack is via email, also known as spear-phishing. However, phishing attacks can come from a text message, social media or by phone.

As well as your cyber security there are compliance laws to observe. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has introduced a regulation in EU law that dictates all organisations must have robust processes in place to ensure the protection of personal data – such as breach detection capabilities (for example).

If you need to improve your cyber security posture and be able to demonstrate your compliance, there are strategies that you can deploy to reduce your vulnerability.

Cyber Security Solutions

There are several cyber security solutions on the market but selecting the right one(s) for your business is essential – as one size does not fit all.

Knowledge is power, so what protection and defence options are there?

  1. Security Awareness
    A high proportion of cyber attacks are reliant on your employees inadvertently acting in a way that leaves your business vulnerable. Security awareness training allows you to demonstrate compliance and better equips employees to spot, defend and report issues.
  2. Email Security
    With spear-phishing (the most prominent and common attack), an email security solution is a sought-after defence. Offering cloud-based security management, archiving and continuity provides cyber resilience for email. It also demonstrates your processes for data protection and compliance.
  3. Breach Detection
    Organisations are required to inform the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) of a breach within 72 hours. The average time for a business to detect a response is a staggering six months. Monitoring options and capabilities offer rapid detection and response times for critical breaches. A breach detection capability – often referred to as an MDR (managed detection and response) is integral; both for compliance and protection. Without some form of detection capability, you simply have no idea if you are under attack or breached.
  4. Log Management (SIEM)
    A robust security information and event management (SIEM) solution provides a comprehensive, 360-degree view of your IT infrastructure from a security perspective. Not only does it drive compliance and serve as a significant deterrent; it is also a powerful information tool for any business.

Where Can I Source the Right Cyber Security Solution?

There is no excuse for not taking cyber security seriously. The first step towards improving your cyber security posture is taking a cyber security assessment.

Softwerx is a leading Microsoft security practice with expert knowledge on cyber security and compliance. We evaluate the best cyber security solutions the market has to offer, so that you don’t have to.

Get in touch to book your free cyber security assessment.


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