Cyber Security Awareness Month 2024

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, an annual initiative that highlights the growing importance of cybersecurity in today’s digital age. In the UK, 50% of businesses reported experiencing a cyber-attack in the past year, with sectors such as education, manufacturing, and finance being the most affected. This increase in incidents demonstrates the urgent need for businesses of all sizes to take cybersecurity seriously. At TechForce Cyber, we’re committed to supporting this year's campaign by offering practical solutions to help businesses better protect themselves against these threats.

The 2024 Theme: "Secure Our World"

The theme for 2024, "Secure Our World," emphasises the need for businesses to implement strong, tailored cybersecurity measures to protect themselves from a variety of evolving threats. As we’ve seen in recent years, attacks such as ransomware and phishing have grown more sophisticated, with attackers increasingly targeting UK organisations through vulnerabilities in their systems and supply chains. The message is clear: cybersecurity needs to be at the forefront of business planning.

Why Cyber Security Awareness Matters in 2024

Cyber-attacks have not only increased in frequency but also in complexity. In the past year, over half of UK businesses have been impacted by some form of cyber-attack, leading to severe financial and reputational damage. AI-driven phishing attacks, for example, are becoming more common, targeting employees with highly convincing emails that bypass traditional security measures. Additionally, the rise of double-extortion ransomware, where attackers threaten to leak sensitive data unless a ransom is paid, has pushed businesses to rethink their approach to cybersecurity.

What TechForce Cyber Is Doing for Cyber Awareness Month

During Cyber Security Awareness Month, TechForce Cyber will be providing resources and services designed to help UK businesses stay ahead of the latest threats. Our focus areas include:

Penetration testing to help identify system weaknesses before attackers exploit them

Employee security training, covering how to spot phishing attacks and other social engineering tactics

Incident response planning to ensure businesses can respond quickly and effectively to a cyber incident

By offering targeted solutions, we aim to help businesses mitigate the risks associated with modern cyber threats.

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Building a Proactive Cybersecurity Strategy

Cybersecurity is not a one-off project—it requires continuous attention and regular updates. Here are some key questions to guide your review of your organisation’s cybersecurity posture:

Are we using multi-factor authentication (MFA) across critical systems?

Do we have a regular data backup strategy, and is it frequently tested?

Is all our software and hardware up to date with the latest security patches?

Have employees recently undergone phishing awareness training?

Do we have an effective incident response plan in place?

If any of these areas need improvement, now is the ideal time to act. A proactive approach will significantly reduce the risk of future breaches and strengthen your overall security posture.

Key Threats to Watch in 2024

Several emerging threats are expected to have a significant impact in 2024:

AI-enhanced attacks: Cybercriminals are increasingly using AI to automate attacks, making them faster and harder to detect. This includes AI-driven phishing campaigns, which are more targeted and harder for employees to spot.

Supply chain vulnerabilities: With more businesses outsourcing critical services, supply chain attacks have increased, particularly in industries like manufacturing and logistics. Ensuring that third-party providers maintain strong cybersecurity practices is vital.

Cloud security risks: As more organisations migrate to the cloud, weak access controls and misconfigurations are becoming common targets for attackers. Implementing strong access controls and continuous monitoring is crucial to avoid breaches.

Take Action with TechForce Cyber

This Cyber Security Awareness Month, take the opportunity to review and enhance your organisation’s cybersecurity measures. Whether you’re looking to conduct a penetration test, improve employee security training, or develop a comprehensive incident response plan, TechForce Cyber can help.

Download our TechForce Cyber Services Datasheet or get in touch with us for tailored support on how to strengthen your cybersecurity strategy.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity is a critical priority in 2024, with threats continuing to evolve at a rapid pace. Taking proactive steps now will not only help protect your business from potential breaches but also ensure operational resilience in the face of growing digital threats. Join TechForce Cyber throughout Cyber Security Awareness Month as we provide insights and solutions to help you stay one step ahead.

About TechForce Cyber

TechForce Cyber provides industry-leading cybersecurity solutions to businesses across the UK. From managed security services to consulting and incident response, we offer end-to-end support to safeguard your organisation from the latest cyber threats. Contact us at sales@techforce.co.uk or call 01224 516181 to discuss how we can help. For more information, visit our website at www.techforce.co.uk.