It’s time to become cyber savvy, writes James Kelly, Chief Executive of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA).
One type of crime that has become increasingly more threatening in recent years is that of cyber-crime. According to the Crime Survey for England and Wales, published in July 2016, it was estimated that “there were 3.9 million fraud and 2.0 million computer misuse offences experienced in the 12 months prior to interview.”
Recent statistics further cement the fact this new age crime is something everyone should be defending themselves against. In May 2016, the Department of Media, Culture and Sports published the ‘Cyber Security Breaches Survey’, which revealed that out of the 1008 businesses surveyed, 65 per cent of large firms had detected a cyber security breach or attack in the last year, with 25pc of them encountering a breach at least once per month. A cyber breach can be extremely costly to a business, not just financially, but also reputationally, especially if personal data is compromised. The survey identified that the most costly breach to those surveyed was £3m, with an average cost to large businesses being £36,500. Some 68pc of respondents identified their breach or attack as being from a virus, spyware or malware, with the remaining 32pc saying that impersonation of the organisation was the main threat. Shockingly, despite the fact that seven in ten businesses did say that cyber security was a high priority for senior management in their organisation, only 51pc of respondents had actually taken the necessary steps to protect themselves.
It is important for both individuals and businesses as a whole to become savvier when it comes to protecting against these threats. Small steps such as regularly updating software and malware protection, making sure that firewalls are robust and up to date and restricting areas of a network to specific users can all go a long way in safeguarding networks. Another extremely useful method, particularly in terms of business security, is employing the services of an experienced security consultant who can carry out comprehensive penetration testing on a network in order to identify any weak points. A security consultant can also assist an organisation in developing a firm cyber security policy along with a formal incident management process that should be implemented in the case of an attack.
When sourcing any type of security product or service, it is always essential to choose a professional supplier who meets with the relevant British and European standards. Members of the BSIA’s Specialist Services Section have a wealth of knowledge and experience, particularly in relation to cyber security, and offer a reputable service. To find out more, visit http://www.bsia.co.uk/sections/specialist-services.aspx
