What is social engineering and why is it so dangerous?

Around 65,000 attempts to hack small to medium-sized businesses happen every day in the UK. If they’re successful, they can really damage your reputation, lose you revenue, and leave your staff feeling vulnerable. Depending on the scale and how prepared you are for an attack, it can take weeks to recover from.

So protecting your business should be the number one priority. But it isn’t as simple as installing firewalls and antivirus. There’s a certain tactic that cyber criminals use called social engineering that can’t be stopped by software, making it particularly dangerous. But what is it and how can you keep you and your staff safe?

What is social engineering?

Social engineering can be a subtle attack, so much so that you don’t even realise it’s happening. They exploit human nature and trust to get the victim to reveal sensitive information. It can be used in a variety of attacks, including phishing attacks, baiting, and confidence tricks.

It’s estimated that around 98% of cyber attacks use social engineering in some form, making it one of the most dangerous threats to an organisation. What makes it so dangerous is that it manipulates our psychology, meaning anyone can fall victim. 

The goal can also be to extract personal information. With this, they can access private accounts or bypass security questions.

How does it work?

Cyber criminals typically try to manipulate us using trust and urgency. An example of urgency could be an email requesting immediate payment. Victims may panic and open an attachment on the email, which immediately downloads a virus, or they might just send the money directly to the attacker.

By manipulating trust, one group of cyber criminals stole millions from Facebook and Google. They created a fake company, set up bank accounts in its name, and sent invoice phishing emails to specific employees. The employees trusted the emails as the invoices had details of a recent service they’d received and paid the criminals millions. 

It doesn’t even have to be that elaborate. Have you ever seen a post on Facebook that tells you how to get your superhero name? The kind where you have to use your date and month of your birthday to make the name? It seems harmless, but that gives potential cyber criminals data about you they can use to get into your accounts. What if these numbers are part of a password? Be careful about giving out information like this.

What can you do to prevent falling victim?

One of the best ways to stop your organisation from falling victim to social engineering attacks is to have regular cyber security training. One study tested participants’ ability to identify phishing emails at various intervals after training. It revealed that after four months, the participants could easily identify phishing emails. But after six months, they started to forget what they had learned. So it’s recommended you do some retraining every four months.

And double-check before taking action. If a USB turns up on your desk, ask where it came from before plugging it in. If you receive a suspicious email, check if the sender’s email address is legitimate. Finally, stay calm. Cyber criminals play on our reaction to urgency. Instead of panicking and responding quickly, find out more information and analyse what they’re saying.

Social engineering is a serious threat. There isn’t any software that can stop a criminal from manipulating your trust or basic human nature. But, thankfully, there is software that can give your devices an extra layer of protection if a member of your organisation falls victim to this attack…

Ready to protect your business? Nisyst Cyber Security can help you keep your data secure and your business safe from cyber threats. For more information, get in touch with us on 01204 706000.

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4 industries at risk of a cyber attack – and real-world examples of when it happened

We’ve talked at great length before about how no one is immune from a cyber attack. Whether it’s in your personal or professional life, you are vulnerable to cyber threats if you don’t take preventative measures to protect yourself.

And when we say no one is immune, we mean it. You might think some of the most well-funded or government-backed sectors have plenty of insulation. But they’re just as at-risk as anyone else. Here are four sectors vulnerable to cyber attacks and some real-world examples of when it all went wrong for them.

Healthcare

We’ll start with a big one, both in terms of industry size and attack notoriety. You probably remember the infamous Wannacry cyber attack on the NHS in 2017. While this was the most famous example here in the UK, it was actually a global incident that attacked government systems and private companies alike. The ransomware demanded cryptocurrency – like Bitcoin – to unlock users’ files, sometimes in vain.

For a more recent example, we only have to look to Ireland. The HSE, their equivalent of the NHS, had to cancel as much as 80% of its appointments while it dealt with the attack. In one particular story, a woman couldn’t receive treatment for her cancer as the machine used for the process was connected to the system.

Education

According to the UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, education is incredibly at risk of cyber attacks. Just look at how many educational institutions had suffered at least one cyber attack in the previous 12 months:

  • Primary schools – 41%
  • Secondary schools – 76%
  • Further education institutions – 80%

That’s a staggering amount. Just last year, we saw a number of universities fall victim to a ransomware attack. This included universities in Birmingham, York, Leeds, and London. They fell victim because of a particular software supplier that was hacked. So it really pays to consider who you work with.

Government

Looking at the government as a whole, it happens on an all-too-regular basis globally. In France, an attack on the government’s website which handles visas left people’s personal details – including email addresses, names, dates of birth, and passport numbers – vulnerable. Even though they dealt with it swiftly, it still put people in a compromised position.

Here’s an article from one website that collates a number of recent examples, including the previously mentioned attack on Ireland’s healthcare system. Governments that fell victim include Russia’s, Ukraine’s, Japan’s, and America’s. Speaking of which…

Energy

Colonial – a major supplier of petrol and fuel in the U.S. – shut down operations across a pipeline system that runs at more than 5,500 miles after a ransomware attack. It effectively halted nearly half of the East Coast’s fuel supply. This was because they had to take operations offline while they dealt with the breach.

The situation isn’t much better. The UK energy sector is one of the most at-risk of cyber attacks according to one study. Considering this industry quite literally keeps the country running, it’s not one we can risk falling victim to something unavoidable. That analysis showed that while 84% of top energy suppliers had dedicated cyber security roles, only 39% were actively reviewing their policies.

This just goes to show that anyone – even those with the most backing and support – can fall victim. So what does this mean for SMEs who don’t always have that behind them? It’s why almost half of all cyber criminal targets are SMEs. Your number one priority in 2021 should be ensuring you keep yourself safe.

Do you want to make sure you’re as protected as possible? Keep cyber threats at bay and your data and business safe with Nisyst Cyber Security. To find out how we can help you, get in touch with us on 01204 706000.

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Six ways to increase your EPoS system’s security

30,000 websites are hacked daily across the globe. And 64% of companies worldwide have experienced at least one cyber attack. Cyber criminals target a wide range of tech such as websites, mobile phones, and computers. Unsurprisingly, they’re also known to target EPoS systems. 

If a hacker were to gain access to your EPoS, it would give them access to all the information they need to clone cards, harming your business reputation and putting your staff and customers at risk. It’s vital to keep it secure. Here are six ways to increase your EPoS system’s security.

Keep everything updated

This means ensuring your system is up to date and all you have all the most recent patches. It’s easy to think “I’ll do that later”, but “later” might be too late. 

Since patch updates are announced publicly, the world knows the system has a vulnerability. To use a real example, the WannaCry attack that brought the NHS to its knees, costing just under £6 million, could have been prevented if they had installed the latest patch update.

Use end-to-end encryption 

With encryption tools, even if a cyber criminal steals card information from your EPoS, they won’t be able to make sense of it. Encryption tools disguise credit card information the moment the EPoS system receives it. It’s then encrypted again when that information is sent to the software’s server. 

Use two-factor authentication

99.9% of automated attacks are blocked when you use two-factor authentication. This adds another layer to your security, requiring a code sent to your email or phone. It’s much harder for cyber criminals to access this instant information.

But you shouldn’t rely on this alone. You should ensure all your passwords are complex and change them regularly. It’s recommended to change them every 60-90 days. But we like to err on the side of caution. Therefore, we recommend updating passwords every 30 days.

Never connect to Wi-Fi that isn’t your own

Connecting your EPoS to public Wi-Fi makes it so simple for a hacker to intercept. If possible, ensure your Wi-Fi is WPA3, as this is the most secure. If you’re able to take your EPoS out with you, say on an iPad to an external event, don’t feel you have to connect to anything. Find an option that can work offline as well as it does online.

Consult an expert

Regularly conducting checks of your EPoS is a great idea, but an expert always knows best. Look to seek advice from someone with a lot of experience with these system. They can regularly conduct vulnerability assessments on your EPoS to ensure it’s secure. 

Regularly backup your data 

The sad reality is you can never be completely protected from cyber criminals, so it’s important to have a back up plan. Backing up your data via the cloud ensures that if you do fall victim to an attack, you can get back up on your feet much quicker. 

The importance of ensuring you increase your EPoS system’s security cannot be understated. For the sake of protecting your customers, staff, and business, a secure EPoS should be your top priority. On the 9th of September at the Charity Retail Association Conference, we’ll be launching CHARiot Web – a secure, cloud-based EPoS system that helps keep you as secure as possible.

Ready to protect your business? If you have any questions about CHARiot Web, or if you have any general security questions, get in touch with us on 01204 706 000.

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QUIZ: Is your tablet security the best it can be?

1.28 billion. That’s how many tablet users there are expected to be worldwide this year. To put that into perspective, India’s population is just over 1.38 billion. Tablets are growing in popularity. And as they become more powerful, it’s only a matter of time until they become more integral in our workplaces. They’re already a huge part of many industries. Charity retail shops, for example, use tablets alongside their EPoS system to streamline operations.

But as their popularity rises, it’s essential we keep take a look at our tablet security. They contain sensitive information and, like any device, can be hacked. So is your tablet as safe as it can be? Take our quiz to find out…

Q1. Tablets, unlike other devices, don’t need antivirus. It’s secure enough without it.

  1. True
  2. False

Q2. You can wait to install updates on your tablet.

  1. True
  2. False

Q3. Passwords should be 12 characters minimum.

  1. True
  2. False

Q4. How safe is it to connect to an unknown Wi-Fi?

  1. It’s never completely without risk
  2. As long as it’s public Wi-Fi like Starbucks, it’s fine
  3. It’s fine, I do it all the time

Answers 

Question 1 – This is false. Even though some see Apple devices as extremely secure, they’re just as vulnerable as Android tablets. In fact, rates of iOS malware have been increasing over the years. So, just like a PC or laptop, antivirus protection is a necessity.

Question 2 – Also false. Any updates on your tablet should be installed immediately, especially if they’re patch updates. These will ensure your security is as current as possible, protecting against more recent cyber threats.

Question 3 – True. With passwords, the general rule is the longer the better. But a password of 12 or more characters is a great place to start. Follow the regular advice and mix letters, numbers, and symbols.

Question 4 – It would be amazing if we could trust any Wi-Fi. But that’s too good to be true. One of the more common public Wi-Fi attacks is known as a man-in-the-middle attack. When a device connects to the internet, a hacker can easily position themselves between these transmissions and access your information.

Many people think the standards we hold our computers to don’t apply to other devices. But any device we own can easily be exploited. Just this idea that tablets and similar devices don’t need the same protection could be putting you and your data at risk. It’s vital we prioritise cyber security across all devices to protect our data – look after your tablet security.

Keep yourself secure. If you’re in the charity sector, we’ll be at the Charity Retail Association Conference on the 9th and 10th of September, launching CHARiot Web. With our newest cloud-based EPoS solution, your staff and volunteers can stay as safe as possible. Come see us at our stand or call us today on 01204 706 000.

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Ransomware attacks: three modern examples and what you should do

Ransomware attacks are a particular variety of malicious cyber attacks. Whereas some prefer to operate in the background and would rather you didn’t notice, ransomware isn’t quite so shy. If you’ve been hit, you’ll know it. As the name suggests, these types of attacks hold your data and systems at ransom, promising you’ll get a key to unlock your files if you pay the price.

Perhaps the most famous example is the WannaCry attack on the NHS. The cost of the devastating attack was almost a massive £6 million, and the effects were disastrous. Hospitals that fell victim had to cancel 13,500 outpatient appointments, including 139 appointments for patients with suspected cancer.

And they’re just as common today. Here are three examples from this year alone, and what you should do if you’re ever affected.

Isle of Wight schools

We’ll start with the smallest attack, yet it’s no less devastating. The Island Education Federation confirmed they’d fallen victim to a cyber attack that would delay the start of the school term. This immediately made people worry that young students’ information could be at risk.

A spokesperson for the Federation said: “We are working with officers from the police Cybercrime Unit to pursue the cyber criminals and understand the full impact of the attack. There are obviously some significant implications of this, which we are managing and will take measures to secure our systems even further in the future.”

Northern ticket machines

Rail provider Northern was hit recently, affecting over 600 touchscreen self-service ticket machines. It wasn’t said what type of ransomware affected the machine, nor what was compromised by the attack. But Northern has assured people that no customer information or payment data was stolen.

A Northern spokesperson said: “We are working to restore normal operation to our ticket machines as soon as possible. We are sorry for any inconvenience this incident causes.”

In the interim, travellers were asked to buy tickets through the mobile app, website, or at ticket offices at the station.

REvil

This is the biggest ransomware attack story of the last few months. It affected up to 2,000 businesses and organisations across the world. The price for providing the master key that would unlock it all? Just $50-70 million.

US IT firm Kaseya obtained and distributed the key, though they declined to say where from or whether they paid. All they had to add was that it came from a “trusted third party”. Kaseya was one of the first to be hit by the REvil attack, which has been linked to a Russian ransomware gang.

What you should do

Despite them being so well-known, ransomware attacks still happen on a regular basis. More often than not, if they happen to you, the attacker will offer to unlock your files – for a price. Some may be tempted to pay the cost, but this doesn’t guarantee they’ll actually supply the key.

If you are attacked, find which systems have been affected and isolate them. Disconnect them from your network. Pull the ethernet cable out if you have to. With them isolated, you can start to triage the affected units and work on rooting out any malware.

Now, let’s talk about payment. The general advice of law enforcement would be to not pay the cost. But, in reality, 65% do actually send the money. Considering this can get into the thousands of pounds, it can be quite the hit. It could also be “scareware” – created just to make you think it’s ransomware, when it’s not actually encrypted your files at all.

You don’t want to take this decision lightly and are better off talking to an expert about it. While there’s no way to be completely safe from cyber criminals, there certainly are measures we can take to prevent attacks and minimise the damage. For businesses, it’s now more important than ever to have the strongest, most secure cybersecurity possible.

Are you ready to protect your business? At Nisyst Cyber Security, we pride ourselves on creating the most efficient and effective cybersecurity solutions. For more information, get in touch today on 01204 706000.

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Quiz: Is your remote working set up secure?

Since April 2020, almost half of all British citizens have worked from home in some capacity. It’s no surprise then that, during that time, there was an 800% surge in cyber attacks. That link is no coincidence – our home set-ups aren’t as secure as what we have in our offices. But with 98% of people preferring remote working at least part time from now on, we’re going to have a long-term issue.

With a potentially permanent cultural shift in how we work on the horizon, we have to start thinking about our home set-ups. There are many cyber risks out there – are you sure you’re ready to keep yourself safe? We’ve whipped up this quiz to test your knowledge. Write down your answers as you go along and check them against the key at the end. Good luck!

Q1. Which of the following is the definition of “phishing”?

A) A type of scam email or message with a fake link to steal your data or download malicious software.

B) A type of malware that threatens to publish the victim’s data or perpetually block access to it unless a ransom is paid.

Q2. How often should you change your password? 

A) Every week

B) Every month

C) Every two to three months 

D) Every six months 

Q3. Which encryption language should your home Wi-Fi use?

A) WEP 

B) WPA 

C) WPA2

D) WPA3

Answers

Question 1 answer – The answer is A. Phishing is the single most popular form of cyber attack. In fact, around half of all UK cyber attacks are phishing attacks. Being able to identify them is key if you’re working from home as your personal devices may not be as protected as the tech in the office.

Question 2 answer – The answer is C, every 60-90 days. Any less than that and you become much more susceptible to hacking. But you shouldn’t just change passwords regularly. They need to be strong too. Simple passwords are incredibly easy to hack and, if used across different platforms, mean you’re essentially handing your information over.

Question 3 answer – This one’s a bit of a trick question as there are two acceptable choices. The answers are in order of how secure they are. WEP is the least secure and WPA3 is the most. In an ideal world, you’d have WPA3. But WPA2 is good too. The lower the strength, the easier it is for someone to access your network. 

For many, remote working is here to stay. So it’s absolutely essential that cyber security becomes a top priority to ensure no data leakage and to protect your business from vicious malware.

Nisyst Cyber Security offers a managed endpoint security solution. This solution helps to protect you from ransomware, viruses, spyware, worms, and more. Protect your business today – call us on 01204 706000.

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Three cyber threats to look out for when working from home

For almost a year now, many of us have been working from home. With the lockdown still ongoing – though potentially with the end in sight – many are still working remotely. While it might be protecting our health, we can’t forget to protect ourselves from cyber threats, too.

Right now is a great opportunity for cybercriminals. The anxiety around the virus makes people more vulnerable to phishing attacks, while work from home setups tend to have weaker security measures in place than the office. But it is not just cybercriminals causing disruption: 20% of businesses have suffered a breach due to the actions of a remote worker since lockdown began.

It is essential to stay on top of any potential threats or vulnerabilities and ensure employees understand how to stay safe. Here are three security risks you and your staff should look out for when working from home…

Insecure home setups

In an office environment, you probably have an IT manager or someone in control of the security of your network. At home, however, people typically have weaker setups. For example, their Wi-Fi connection might be WEP instead of WPA-2. This may seem unimportant, but weaker setups make it a lot easier to hack into. 

This shift could also mean people are using programs they aren’t familiar with, which can lead to further vulnerabilities. Personal devices like laptops and mobile phones may have fewer security controls, so it is best, if possible, to use work-issued devices. 

Phishing attacks

Phishing attacks are widely recognised as the top cause of data breaches. These attacks can ruin a business. On the surface, they look like normal emails. But they often link to fake websites and downloads that infect your computer. 

Over the course of the pandemic, they’ve become more sophisticated and targeted. But more than that, they’ve become more frequent; HMRC reported a 73% rise in phishing emails. The best way to protect against phishing attacks is training. Make sure all staff know the warning signs of an attempt and to check with IT managers if they aren’t sure.

Weak passwords

If something’s online, there’s a good chance someone else can get into it. It helps to make it as difficult as possible for them. Many companies work online to make work more collaborative. But too often, people reuse login details. 

Using the same login for Zoom, email, and any other online apps or websites you use to stay in contact with your team is dangerous and can result in an attacker gaining access to your accounts. Password managers can help keep track of multiple passwords and help you create stronger ones that are harder to guess.

Cyber threats are a danger to all businesses, especially while we’re working from home. It’s important to back up data, make employees aware of the various attacks and best online practices, and ensure they have the strongest setup possible while they’re working remotely. 

Put your mind at ease by protecting your business today. We pride ourselves on creating the most efficient and effective cyber security solution. For more information, get in touch with us on 01204 706000.

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Four simple tips for mobile phone security

There was a time where our phones were just big, chunky bricks only capable of calling other people. Now they’re our digital Swiss Army knife, with cloud storage, emails, messaging, a calculator, and hundreds of apps that help us with work and so much more. But phones are only going to continue to improve and we’re going to rely on them more and more.

And with the lines between work and home life blurring, our phones have become essential tools in our jobs. Over three-quarters of the UK use their personal device for work. With this in mind, it’s critical we make sure it’s secure. With so much important information on these devices we take everywhere with us, we can easily open ourselves up to hackers and cyber attacks. So what simple ways can you look after your mobile phone security?

Lock your apps

We all know you can add a password to your phone to stop people from browsing through it, but you can also lock individual apps. This is particularly useful for those who use their phone for work and simply can’t delete sensitive files. 

This way, you can protect sensitive information with not one password (the one you use to unlock your phone) but two. Or, if you don’t want to lock your apps, you can simply log out each time to protect your information.

Install an antivirus app

We all have antivirus for our computers and laptops, so why not for our phones too? It may seem redundant as most phones already have protection against malware, but these measures sometimes just aren’t enough. 

For example, Google removes malware it finds in the Play Store. But this just tells us that malware can find a way onto the Play Store. You may download an app infected with malware before Google can remove it. Not all built-in protection is strong enough, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Keep Bluetooth and Wi-Fi off when you aren’t using it

Keeping either of these on essentially just opens you up to hackers. Hackers can intercept and change the data sent over Bluetooth. And, sadly, public Wi-Fi – though convenient and free – can be dangerous too. Instead of connecting to the Wi-Fi, you could be sending your data directly to a hacker. Hackers can also use unsecure public Wi-Fi to distribute malware. 

Don’t use public chargers

I’m sure this one is hard for many to hear, but it just isn’t safe. When you plug in your phone at the train station, airport, Starbucks, or wherever you are, the port doesn’t just charge your phone; it transmits data. 

A compromised charging station could give a hacker access to just about anything in your phone, including texts, emails, and photos. If you regularly find yourself low on battery when out and about, it might be time to invest in a power bank.

As we use our mobile phones more often, it’s essential that we protect the sensitive information on them. Following these tips won’t make your phone immune from cybercriminals, but they will make the chances of you falling victim to an attack much less likely.

Nisyst Cyber Security has been leading the UK tech scene for over 30 years. We can help you look after your mobile phone security. Ready to protect your business? Call us now on 01204 706 000.

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Five simple mistakes that can leave you vulnerable online

By now, we’re all well aware of how dangerous the online world can be. We know not to send our card details to some Nigerian prince who turns up in our spam folder. And we know we shouldn’t leave our password written on a post-it note stuck to our laptop screen. These are obvious ways to leave yourself vulnerable online.

But some of the biggest mistakes people make are simple ones that you might not realise are important as they are. You and your staff have to be constantly on the ball. Thankfully, these easy mistakes are also very easy to fix. Let’s look at five of the most common errors and how you can change for the better.

Putting off software updates

We get it – it’s annoying when you’re busy working and that little pop-up interrupts you just to tell you it’s time to update your software or OS. You might put it off, telling yourself you’ll get to it later, but later doesn’t come until it’s too late. These software updates are crucial as they often patch up holes in the security, keeping you from being vulnerable online. Not to mention the fact it should give you new features and fix bugs.

It might feel like a pain to constantly update your software – especially if different ones are updating at different times – but it’s essential. To make it easier for you, turn on auto-updates if possible. Or make a habit of checking for updates at the end of your working day and let it do it while you go about the rest of your day.

Posting everything on social media

Social media is a fun place to share updates, talk to friends, or simply tell people what you’re eating. But over sharing can be risky. By sharing too much about your personal life, hackers can piece together your details to figure out passwords.

There are two ways to fix this. First, ensure all your passwords are secure. Don’t make it just one word; combine letters, numbers, and symbols to make it harder to crack. Second, watch what you put online. Be careful about any “fun” Facebook posts that ask you to complete a quiz about yourself or post about your life story. These details are often used in people’s passwords, so you’re just giving away free information. It seems obvious right now, but when you’re bored and scrolling through Facebook, it looks innocent enough.

Using weak passwords that you never change

When it comes to passwords, many people use obvious choices. It might be their child’s name, an anniversary, a pet, or even just a simple “password123”. 

Then they use that same password for months. It’s essential to create strong passwords that you change often. And you should never use the same password twice. If you find it impossible to remember every password, try using a password manager to keep them all in one secure place. 

Using sites that aren’t SSL certified

Have you ever noticed the little padlock at the far left of the search bar? Or maybe a URL that started with “https://”? That “s” and padlock signifies the site is SSL certified. SSL certified means you’re at a much lower risk of having your information stolen, as it’s encrypted. If you plan on making a purchase from a site, ensure that it’s SSL certified as it’s much harder to hack.

Using free public Wi-Fi

Everyone does it so it must be safe right? Not quite. Public Wi-Fi isn’t entirely secure. Any hacker could easily intercept everything your device sends or receives. Not only that, but it isn’t uncommon for cyber criminals to impersonate Wi-Fi services, tricking you into connecting to them where they can then steal your information.

The best course of action is to simply ignore it. It’s easier and safer to use your own data. Even public Wi-Fi that’s password-protected is a risk as you still don’t know who’ll be lurking on the same network.

There are so many ways we can accidentally leave ourselves vulnerable online. Without realising, it’s all too easy to give your private information away. Being aware of dangers and learning how to stay safe will help us develop better online practices and reduce risk.

Nisyst Cyber Security has been at the forefront of the UK tech scene for 30 years. We can conduct a vulnerability assessment to identify any security loopholes. Ready to protect your business? Call us now on 01204 706 000.

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How to ensure you and your tech are as safe as possible

It’s no surprise that cybersecurity has rocketed up many companies’ list of priorities. The number of UK businesses who fell victim to a cyberattack has majorly increased, especially in the last year. And it’s not as if the bigger the business, the safer you are; phishing attacks worked 38% of the time in large businesses compared to 29% in SMEs.

The reason for the high number of cyberattacks? Our technology makes it too easy. If cybersecurity is at the top of your agenda, so should patch management. Every piece of current software and technology is constantly releasing new patches that add new features and bolster security. But if you aren’t staying on top of them, you are just leaving yourself open to exploitation. So how can patch management ensure you and your tech stay as safe as possible?

Why you need patch management

The most obvious reason for patch management is to keep your security up to date. Bad-faith actors will use whatever holes they can find to work their way into your system. It’s also why we would never recommend you use unsupported services or operating systems. Any breach will likely cost you a lot of money and a lot more reputation.

Beyond that, staying on top of your patches keeps your whole team more productive. As well as fixing any existing security issues, updates can make software more efficient, meaning it runs faster and crashes less. Your staff won’t have to worry about any of that slowing them down. How often has your computer frozen and sent you into a mad rage? We know it’s happened more than enough to us!

Due to the significant threat, it’s also often a requirement to stay safe. Depending on your industry, staying up to date means staying compliant. Noncompliance is a rocky road to penalties and lost business. If you have personal details for clients and they end up being compromised, you put them in danger and your business in hot water.

How to implement

We make it sound like a long process, but it doesn’t have to be. It might require more work at the start as you lay out a patch management policy, but then you can simply carry out regular scans to check for any vulnerabilities and new patches. Done right, you can push updates out to multiple devices at once, saving any need to go to individual devices.

If you want to be more thorough – which we always recommend for something as important as cybersecurity – you need to check the updates in a testing environment before pushing out. This ensures it won’t negatively affect you in any way. And when it’s all done, a final report detailing the process would help for any auditing in the future.

What’s important is you understand why you’re doing it. Make sure all the management and staff understand how it’s of benefit – potentially include it in any cybersecurity training you put your team through. Patch management can be a big undertaking for a team that’s already stretched thin, but there are companies and software available that can handle this vital task for you.

We offer a patch management service so you can be safe in the knowledge that your devices are as safe and secure as possible. This way, your IT team can focus on doing what they do best, and you don’t have to worry about vulnerabilities in your software. Protect your business today with Nisyst Cyber Security. For more information, get in touch on 01204 706000.

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