It’s Cyber Security Awareness Month – but cyber isn’t just for October!

October 9, 2024

October 2024 is the 21st year of Cyber Security Awareness Month, an initiative designed to put a spotlight on the importance of cyber security. 

Here at Securious, we love any initiative that promotes cyber security, and  Cyber Security Awareness Month is a great way to do that. 

But when the month comes to an end, that doesn’t mean cyber security should leave your agenda – in order to keep your organisation protected from threats, cyber security has to be a continuous priority, rather than something you think about once a year.

The problem is, cyber security can end up being something that’s overlooked, forgotten about, or seen as a daunting expense rather than an opportunity to improve and differentiate. 

The threat of a successful cyber attack increases on a daily basis and the implications of a successful hacking attempt could be catastrophic to your organisation. However, with the right protections in place, you may be able to prevent a successful cyber attack, and with the right response plan you will at least be able to mitigate the implications of one. At the very least, showing you have taken reasonable precautions can limit any potential reputational consequences significantly.

But having these measures in place requires ongoing attention – you can’t achieve true security by only considering it for one month of the year. Every day hackers are becoming more creative, discovering new vulnerabilities and methods to access private information. 

One-off training sessions and annual reviews aren’t enough to defend against the variety of attacks companies have to face.

This is demonstrated by an ongoing industry-wise shift towards continuous improvement. For example, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) has moved away from one-time compliance, instead focusing on continuous monitoring and regular assessments to ensure ongoing protection. 

ISO 27001, the international standard for information security, also emphasises the importance of continuous improvement and regular security reviews to stay compliant. To truly stay ahead of cyber threats, organisations should consider the following practical steps:

  • Regular staff awareness training:  Your first line of defence against cyber criminals is your employees, so teaching them to identify potential threats and respond appropriately is vital.
  • Regular reviews and assessments: Penetration testing, vulnerability scans, and audits should be routine, not occasional, to catch any new weaknesses before they are exploited. 
  • Stay on top of the five controls of Cyber Essentials: Cyber Essentials outlines five key controls – firewalls, secure configurations, user access control, malware protection, and patch management. Keeping these in check can significantly reduce the risk of a successful attack. 

Cyber Security Awareness Month is a fantastic way to spark important conversations and drive action towards cyber security. Here at Securious, we support any initiative that raises awareness and encourages best practices. But remember – effective cyber security requires ongoing attention.

For information, help or advice, get in touch with us using the contact form below, by email info@securious.co.uk or by calling us on +44 (0)1392 247 110.