Member Article

Cybersecurity expert urges making tech safety a new year’s resolution

CyberWhite, a cybersecurity specialist based in the North East, is urging individuals and businesses in the region to put online and network safety at the top of their to do list when making new year’s resolutions.

The firm, which supports medium and large enterprises across the UK to keep their data safe, has suggested that January is the perfect time to get round to jobs that often get forgotten during busy times, including changing passwords, updating software, and even becoming accredited with a recognised safety certificate.

Individuals are often warned about the risks associated with phishing scams, including the theft of bank details or identity fraud, however even large businesses are not immune to danger. Research has found that 62 per cent of businesses experienced phishing and social engineering attacks in 2018, and data breaches exposed 4.1 billion records in the first half of 2019.

David Horn, director at CyberWhite, said: “Whether as part of a business or as an individual, it’s easy to take cybersecurity for granted. This is why the new year is a perfect time to bring it to the fore front – we have time to rest, take stock, and think about what we can do to stay safe in 2021.

“Regardless of whether you’re running the largest company in the world or just managing a couple of social media profiles, it’s a great time to change your passwords, put in place two-factor authentication where possible, and update any software. This can, in some instances, take a bit of time, so the holidays are a great time to do this.

“Business leaders might want to take the time to think about what they can invest in to ensure they’re confident their data is secure, particularly considering any risks that may come to light in the event of a no-deal Brexit. It may be time to invest in formal accreditation for the firm, such as an ISO package, so that you have evidence that cybersecurity is part of the company’s culture.

“The world is more reliant on technology than ever, from our phones to our computers to our homes which are probably a little bit smarter thanks to our state-of-the-art Christmas presents. But with that, we must make sure we’re also a bit wiser, and take the time to make 2021 a cybersecure year.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by News Gathering .