Cyber Security

Risks in a new work environment

The onset of the pandemic forced organisations to switch to remote working almost overnight, resulting in a sharp increase in cyber attacks, as the less controlled nature of this environment makes it easier for malicious actors to exploit weaknesses in an organisation’s network infrastructure.

As organisations now continue to operate a hybrid working environment, they must also secure an increasing number of endpoints, as each connected device is a potential entry point for malicious actors. 

Azure security best practices for your cloud infrastructure

Keeping ahead of sophisticated threats

Cyber criminals continue to develop increasingly sophisticated methods to gain access to an organisation's systems. One of the most common methods is through social engineering, where an attacker manipulates users to reveal confidential information unwittingly. Additionally, ransomware attacks have continued to increase in frequency and severity. These attacks can paralyse an organisation's operations and cause severe reputational damage.

Another challenge organisations face is the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as machine learning and deep learning. These powerful tools have been used increasingly by cyber criminals to automate attacks, making them more difficult to detect and mitigate. As organisations continue to adopt AI-powered solutions for their own security needs, they will need to stay ahead of malicious actors by continually updating their cyber defences.

AI and cyber security: the threats and opportunities

The need for in-depth, constant monitoring

One of the biggest challenges that organisations face is the need for in-depth and constant monitoring to identify and mitigate potential threats before they can cause significant harm. Organisations must also have a thorough understanding of the current threat landscape and their networks’ vulnerabilities to ensure they can detect any suspicious activity in time. 

It is not enough to simply install a security solution – organisations must be vigilant and monitor their network infrastructure continually for any new potential threats or suspicious activity. This requires a substantial amount of resources, both in terms of personnel and technological resources.

The role of MSPs in cyber security: mitigate risk and protect your business

The cost of safety

Organisations, especially small and medium businesses, are typically constrained by limited cybersecurity budgets. This can lead to inadequate security measures, as they can't afford to invest in more advanced security systems. The sad reality is that cybercriminals don't discriminate based on the size or financial status of an organisation. They will target any organisation that they can gain access to.

While it may be difficult for organisations to allocate funds for cyber security due to limited budgets, the cost of a potential cyber attack is exponentially larger, which includes costs related to lost or stolen data, regulatory fines, and reputational damages.

Enhance your business's security measures with monitoring, threat detection, and disaster recovery services

Lack of cyber security expertise

Effective cyber security requires a high level of expertise. However, many organisations lack in-house capabilities and may struggle to identify and mitigate potential cyber attacks.

The cost of hiring and training an in-house team to tackle cyber security issues can be prohibitively expensive for many organisations. Moreover, there is a widespread skills shortage in the industry, making it difficult to find qualified personnel who have the necessary expertise.

Working with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) can help organisations overcome this challenge as MSPs provide access to dedicated security professionals who are well-versed in the latest cyber threats and technologies. They also offer 24/7 monitoring services that allow organisations to stay ahead of potential attacks and respond quickly if any suspicious activity is detected. This gives businesses peace of mind knowing their systems are secure at all times without having to invest heavily in building up an internal security team.

The role of MSPs in cyber security