5 Biggest Cybersecurity Mistakes You Should Avoid

In our digital world, unseen dangers are often the deadliest – especially when they target our workplaces. Cyber threats linger in seemingly harmless links, lurk in the shadows of unsecured networks, and even masquerade as trusted colleagues. Understanding these digital hazards is the first step towards safeguarding your business. In this blog, we’ll explore the top cyber security concerns for Glasgow businesses in 2024, including what to watch out for, and some practical steps for prevention.

1.) Phishing, Vishing, and Deep Fakes

In its modern form, phishing remains a prevalent threat, albeit with a whole new look. Emerging technologies (largely AI driven) have enabled this age-old technique to evolve beyond deceptive emails. These days, common attack methods involve vishing (voice phishing) and the use of deep fakes – synthetic media where a person in an existing image or video is replaced with someone else’s likeness.

What makes these threats especially tricky? They’re harder to identify as scams, since the usual red flags – unknown senders, questionable spelling, and the like – are absent. If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, how are you to know it’s actually a cyber criminal in disguise?

• Vishing attacks have increased 30% over the past year, with hybrid attacks surging by 554%.
• Voice scams have a success rate of 77%.
• The average loss after a vishing attack is £455.

The goal of any kind of phishing remains the same: to deceive employees into divulging confidential information. Imagine receiving a phone call from what seems to be your bank, asking you to confirm your account details, or seeing a video of your CEO requesting urgent fund transfers. Falling victim to these scams can lead to significant financial losses and damage to customer trust. In order to stay secure, cyber security for Glasgow businesses has to adapt to counter these sophisticated threats.

Preventive Measures: Training staff to recognise and report suspicious communications is key to tackling any kind of phishing. This extends to your executives, too – since they’re likely to have access to more highly sensitive information, they’re a far more lucrative target who often gets overlooked in awareness training.

2.) Malware as a Service

Another unfortunate result of today’s gig economy is that Malware as a Service (or MaaS) provides cyber criminals, novice and skilled alike, with advanced malicious tools available for rent or purchase. Increased accessibility means increased likelihood of attacks on unsuspecting businesses.

Malware can steal sensitive data, corrupt files, and even hijack computer resources, leading to downtime and costly repairs. Your systems might suddenly exhibit unexpected behaviour, like programs opening and closing on their own, displaying unusual pop-up ads, or emails being sent without your consent, indicating that something insidious has infiltrated your network.

Types of malware include (but aren’t limited to):

• Viruses: Malicious pieces of code that lay dormant in things like email attachments until they’re downloaded or clicked on.
• Trojans: Like viruses, Trojans are disguised as legitimate files, applications, or software that, once opened, inflicts damage on your data.
• Keyloggers: A popular form of spyware that tracks and records what you type on your keyboard or mobile device – including usernames, passwords, and payment information.

Preventive Measures: Robust IT support in Glasgow can help implement advanced threat detection tools and regular system audits to spot and eliminate these threats promptly.

3.) Ransomware

Ransomware is a specific type of malicious software that locks users out of their systems or encrypts data, demanding a ransom to restore access. When successful, it can be the most expensive cyber security threat; hence, it merits its own discussion.

Picture this: You come into the office one morning, fully caffeinated and ready for the day. When you try to log on, however, a ransom note appears on your computer screen, with threats to delete data or release it publicly unless a payment is made. You – understandably – might panic if you don’t know how to deal with this kind of threat.

Small businesses are often targeted by ransomware as they may lack the proper defences to prevent such attacks. With over 130 strains identified in the last four years alone, there’s no shortage of options for hackers looking to try their luck.

In better news, most ransomware incidents don’t actually result in any monetary loss. Why? Because as long as users are properly educated by an IT support team, they know not to give in to the demands. That being said, beyond the immediate financial impact, ransomware attacks can still disrupt operations and lead to long-term reputational damage if customer data is compromised.

Preventive Measures: Regularly back up data and store it independently from your main network. Ensure that your cyber security measures include robust firewall and antivirus solutions to reduce the possibility of ransomware risks. Ransomware tabletop exercises can also help prepare your team to face the real thing.

4.) IoT Exploitation

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the network of interconnected smart devices we’re seeing more and more of in our daily lives. Though they certainly have their benefits, these devices can lack advanced security features, making them easy targets for cyber criminals.

Hackers might access your business’s IoT devices, such as security cameras or smart thermostats, and use them to infiltrate network systems – essentially the digital motorways that connect and carry data across your company’s computers and devices.

Unauthorised – or worse, undetected – access to your IoT devices can lead to data breaches, and serve as entry points for more severe network attacks, like overwhelming your system with illegitimate traffic so your team can’t use them, or inserting damaging code to steal data via your applications.

Preventive Measures: Replace the default passwords on all IoT devices with something stronger and unique. Make sure you regularly update firmware, and segregate these devices from critical business networks, too. This way, any successful hacking attempts are contained in one part of the network, limiting the amount of damage that can be done. IT support in Glasgow can assist in setting up these precautions.

5.) The Cyber Security Skills Gap

Finding, hiring, and retaining in-house tech professionals capable of handling emerging cyber threats is proving both increasingly difficult and increasingly costly. But, without the right expertise, SMBs face potentially devastating outcomes:

• Limited Expertise: With fewer financial and human resources, SMBs struggle to attract and retain cyber security professionals who possess specialised knowledge or relevant threats to their industry.
• Delayed Response: Lacking the necessary skills internally, these businesses may experience significant delays in detecting and responding to cyber incidents.
• Increased Vulnerability: Without dedicated security experts, SMBs are more susceptible to increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks, potentially leading to data breaches and financial loss.
• Compliance Challenges: The skills gap can also make it difficult for SMBs to stay current with regulatory compliance, risking penalties and damage to reputation.

Preventative Measures: Outsourcing your IT to a team with cyber security expertise in Glasgow fixes this problem. It offers immediate access to specialists dedicated to keeping up with the latest threats and defensive strategies. They’ll proactively manage risks and updates, ensuring your SMB remains resilient against ever-evolving digital dangers.

Final Thoughts on Facing Cyber Threats in 2024

The cyber threats facing Glasgow SMBs in the modern age are both diverse and complex, ranging from sophisticated phishing attacks to the exploitation of IoT vulnerabilities. Implementing strong cyber security measures and considering outsourcing IT support in Glasgow can provide businesses with the necessary defences against these evolving threats. By staying informed and proactive, Glasgow’s business community can fortify itself against the cyber challenges of recent, and future, years.

BrightSkye – Cyber-Secure IT Solutions for Central Scotland’s Business Community

Here at BrightSkye, we’re on a mission to help businesses across Glasgow and Central Scotland reach new levels of success using the power of secure IT. We have over 35 combined years’ experience in IT and a reputation for reliability. Strategically located at the heart of the Central Belt, we’re ideally positioned to serve businesses across Glasgow, Lanarkshire, the Lothians, Edinburgh, and beyond.

With responsive IT support, expertly managed cyber security, and tailored solutions that leverage cutting-edge technologies, we’ll ensure your tech stack supports the seamless operation of your business. To discover what local IT support could do for you, get in touch or call us on 0141 212 2240.