Four cyber security myths affecting British businesses

Businesses need to take their cyber security seriously. There are huge financial implications for being hacked, not just from the perspective of lost revenue and weakened reputation, but also in the form of stricter regulations from laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). However, there are a number of myths about cyber security that make it difficult for companies to know what the best course of action is. Here are four myths about cyber security that are still affecting British businesses.

Myth #1: Cyber security is purely dealt with by the IT department

One commonly held myth that can actually put businesses at risk is the idea that cyber security is something that the IT department (and only the IT department needs to be concerned about). Of course, it is necessary to provide your IT team with the budget and resources to defend your business against the risk of a cyber-attack.

The nature of cyber crime means that it is something that the whole of the company needs to be aware of, and understand how to respond to it. For example, directors and senior staff need to understand the risk of them being targeted with business email compromise (BEC) attacks. And all employees need to be aware of the dangers of phishing schemes.

Ensure that your IT department is provided with the resources to provide the relevant training to all members of the team. It is also a good idea to make cyber security an important company-wide issue so that responsibilities are fully understood.

Myth #2: Small businesses don’t get targeted by cyber criminals

It can be easy to look at the cyber criminals and hackers making headlines and believe that cyber attacks only occur against large businesses and huge organisations. Yes, it is common to read about well-known brands losing significant quantities of data, and that can lull small businesses into an assumption that it is only those large businesses that are the targets of cybercrime.

However, this couldn’t be further from the case. In fact, recent statistics show that around 60 per cent of small businesses suffer some form of hacking attempt every year. Small businesses can be considered easy targets by hackers because they may not have the money to invest in powerful cyber security. So, if you are a small business owner, don’t discount the possibility of being attacked just because you aren’t large. If you appear to be a quick win for hackers, they will target you.

Myth #3: Antivirus and firewall software is enough

Some businesses still believe that they can simply rely on their antivirus and firewall software in order to keep their business IT system secure. But the truth is that modern cyber criminals are too advanced and sophisticated to simply use these sorts of security.

To defend against skilled hackers, businesses need to invest in similarly advanced defences. This could include everything from ethical hacking and penetration testing to round-the-clock system monitoring and endpoint protection. It’s worth speaking to cyber security experts who will be able to provide you with advice and guidance on the kind of defences that your system needs.

Myth #4: Digital security and physical security are separate issues

Plenty of businesses understand that cyber security is a serious issue with hackers and criminals becoming more and more sophisticated and resourceful. This has seen them organisations invest in the kind of skills and software required to keep the business IT system safe, and clearly that is a good thing.

However, it can also lead to organisations overlooking the dangers of physical security breaches. If cyber criminals can gain access to your building or easily carry out surveillance, it can make it much easier for them to gain access to your system. So, it is essential that you should consider that your physical security is an important aspect of your cyber security, and invest in it in the same way.

Leading physical security provider Maltaward recommends a full range of security measures in order to keep your site secure in this blog, which includes CCTV across the property, security doors and even the use of concrete barriers to prevent unauthorised access to the company carpark or other areas of your working premises.