Cybersecurity is critical for businesses large and small

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As a provider of Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), ensuring our networks are protected is essential to keeping the nation running. In the broader context of a tense geopolitical situation and rapidly changing technology, As recently highlighted by National Center for Cyber ​​Security (NCSC), large organizations like BT are placing more emphasis on security than ever before.

We have a lot of security protections in place to ensure we don’t experience cyberattacks, but many smaller organizations feel they don’t have the time or resources to focus on cybersecurity. NCSC is taking clear steps to address this with its free tools as part of the cyber awareness campaignthat BT is proud to support.

All companies are at risk.

There is a common misconception that cybercriminals only target the big companies where they can secure the biggest impact, and therefore the biggest reward. But the reality is that they often go for the easier targets. It is much more lucrative for them to carry out simpler, faster, and less risky successful attacks against small businesses than it is to try to take on a multinational company with a dedicated security team. And while a major cyberattack for a large business can have a significant financial and reputational impact, it can cause catastrophic damage for small businesses.

With limited resources, it is natural for SMEs to want to focus firmly on growing their business. But it is important that they get the basic security protocols right, as not doing so exposes them to great risks. For example, small businesses can reduce the threat of malware, ransomware, and a variety of other cyber threats by ensuring they have antivirus protection for all systems and devices, secure data backup, and regular patching across all systems and platforms.

It may seem obvious, but not keeping passwords secure (or even sharing them) remains the bane of many companies when it comes to cyber security. Security technologies are often undone by human error, which is still the source of most cyberattacks. The most visible example of this is phishing, where attackers try to trick users into handing over personal data, downloading malware, or directing them to a dangerous website. It is critical that small businesses have the proper training, ensuring that all employees know the basics and have clear processes and responsibilities for reporting security issues.

On the network front, there are other fundamentals that can help protect SMBs. They must use enterprise-grade WiFi with built-in security and protection as standard. It’s not just computers, but also phones, tablets, and any other internet-connected smart devices that need to be protected, and a basic part of this is installing all manufacturer updates to ensure every piece of kit has adequate protection. .

The value of alliances

Working closely with industry and government partners like the NCSC is a critical part of how BT ensures we have the latest intelligence on cyber security threats and trends. With the information they share with us, we can continually assess our state of IT and supply chain for vulnerabilities, while ensuring that all of our employees uphold security best practices.

While NCSC offers us this level of support as a CNI operator with operations in 180 countries, they also offer specific guidance and tools for smaller businesses. Its recently launched Cyber ​​Aware campaign includes a checklist that helps small businesses elevate their security online. He advises businesses on how to increase their email security by using stronger passwords and enabling two-step verification. Provides more tips on how to improve security by backing up your data and ensuring that security updates are downloaded quickly. Companies can also access their own Cyber ​​Action Plan if they complete a short questionnaire about your security protocols and use the new Check your cyber security toolthat instantly checks for vulnerabilities in web browsers and IP addresses.

We call on small businesses to take advantage of these free services from NCSC, as well as its broader advice for SMEsThey can play a critical role in ensuring that you protect yourself and your business against the potentially devastating impact of cyberattacks.

Safety is at the heart of everything we do at BT. We know how critical our networks are to the UK and the impact a cyber attack could have on consumers, businesses and critical services. That’s why we apply best-in-class protections across our entire network, to ensure that every service we provide is as secure as possible.

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