Jera, a UK-based specialist IT firm, has shared advice for British companies in the run-up to the end of the year, ensuring businesses and corporations allocate sufficient time and planning to their cybersecurity infrastructure following a period of significant changes in risks, threats, and attack vectors.
This year has seen some of the largest data breaches in recent history, alongside evolutions in AI and deep learning applications and trends that mean an increased proportion of the workforce operates remotely. These have prompted the experts at Jera to warn against assumptions about the efficacy of cybersecurity safeguards currently in place.
Major Changes in the Cybersecurity Landscape During 2024
Over the past 12 months, the IT sector in general and cybersecurity, in particular, have faced several challenges, primarily due to increasingly sophisticated approaches by hackers and organised cybercriminals and because conventional defences are becoming redundant, creating greater access to sensitive and valuable data.
One significant development was the dramatic spikes in data breaches targeting the healthcare sector, with 145 million people impacted by the ransomware attack on Change Healthcare in February and 300 million patient tests or data files affected by the Synnovis cyberattack in June.
Another pressing issue has been the decline in awareness of social engineering attacks and the risks inherent in remote network access, exacerbated by the fact that as much as 40% of the UK workforce now works some or all of the time from home.
At the same time, expansions in the availability of AI-enabled systems and applications and the use of IoT-connected devices and appliances, many of which create vulnerabilities and gaps in system security or are exposed to manipulation.
Jera Director Ally Hollins-Kirk says, ‘In a year of great uncertainty and volatility, from fluctuating interest rates to political elections, we appreciate why a large number of businesses have struggled to keep pace with their digital security controls or focused on alternative areas without realising how quickly cybersecurity threats are changing.
Many companies are still using the same approaches to network monitoring, threat detection, and filtering they were a year or more ago, which means they may have business-critical vulnerabilities that need addressing urgently.’
Guidance on the Importance of Business Preparedness for IT Security Threats Ahead of the New Year
The managed IT support and cybersecurity specialist recommends that business leaders act now, particularly those who have planned closures over the festive period, which can mean attacks and infiltrations are less likely to be spotted, blocked, and investigated as they occur.
Among the suggested action plans, Ally advises that ‘In most cases, reviewing how you authenticate access or system entry requests and auditing your defences and digital safeguards is a quick and straightforward way to see where gaps may exist, enabling you to take corrective action now.
While there is a lot of debate about how AI and machine learning have given cybercriminals better ways to tap into sensitive and controlled data, these same resources can also be used to augment your security approach, with the capacity to analyse huge amounts of data, network activity, and behaviours and raise immediate alerts or block suspicious malware before it becomes an issue.
Likewise, introducing best practice staff training to raise awareness of the risks of social engineering, an incredibly prevalent method of attack, can improve the knowledge of teams, especially those working independently or remotely, and mean personnel know how to identify possible threats or unverified communications and what to do when they have a concern.’
Free Cybersecurity Bundle to Help UK Businesses Manage Risk
As part of its drive to raise awareness of the enormous threat cybersecurity attacks can pose to UK businesses and the cost to the economy of successful breaches and ransomware attacks, Jera is offering a Free Cyber Bundle to all qualifying customers.
Ally adds, 'No less than 50% of businesses and 32% of charities experienced a cybersecurity breach in the last year at an average cost of at least £1,205, which means being ready for the fresh challenges 2025 brings isn't optional but a necessity to protect business continuity.’
The package of resources is cost-free and acts as an introductory solution. It encompasses a free systems audit, a two-hour consultation to discuss the findings and recommendations, a dark web scan, three months of complimentary cybersecurity training, a Microsoft 365 audit, and three months of Microsoft Backup.
Companies interested in learning more about the free cybersecurity offer or any of the challenges and resolutions proposed by the Jera team can contact the company directly.
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About Jera
Jera provides fully managed IT support, cybersecurity services, telecoms systems, and IT strategy consultancy to businesses based in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow and the surrounding areas.
Media Contact:
John Beattie
Marketing and Events Manager
Jera
0131 5100 100
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Source Company: https://jerait.co.uk
