Cyber Security – the perfect blend of people, process and technology

According to recent research, 85% of cybersecurity professionals in the UK believe the cyber threat landscape is at its most challenging point of the past five years. The issue of cyber security is never too far from the headlines and it’s an issue that’s important to people and businesses alike. 

Depending on what you read, you could be forgiven for thinking that there’s a one-size-fits-all solution out there to help protect against all cyber threats. But, in reality, not all cyber security measures are created equal and, in fact, it’s actually a combination of people, process and technology that forms the most robust cyber security for businesses across the globe. Each component has a crucial role to play in building resilient defences against cyber threats, protecting your assets, protecting your employees, maintaining trust and ensuring secure operations.

So, what does this winning combination look like in practice? 

People

Your people can be your biggest cyber security weakness, but they can also be your biggest cyber security asset. Your colleagues and staff are the people who access your business systems and data on a daily basis, so it’s vital that they understand the cyber risks they can and almost definitely will encounter while at work.

For example, the most successful and common cyber-attacks, such as phishing attempts, begin by exploiting human error. And, when you consider that over 80% of businesses and charities experienced a phishing attack in 2023 / 2024, according to the UK Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024, anything you can do to guard against such attacks is of utmost importance.

This is where the ‘people’ aspect of cyber security comes in, helping your staff to better understand the risks, becoming more cyber security aware and forming a valuable line of defence against cyber security threats. 

To achieve this, the best approach is two-fold:

1. Run regular, jargon-free training – this will help to educate employees about recognising phishing attempts, malicious URLs, basic device hygiene, secure password practices and the importance of data protection. Training that’s tailored to your organisation will help to familiarise your staff with the procedures to follow if they suspect an attack.
2. Foster a security conscious culture – it’s important that everyone is aware of the role they have to play in maintaining the organisation’s cyber security.

Process

Having the right processes in place is essential when it comes to cyber security. Going hand-in-hand with training, implementing the right processes will protect your sensitive data; make sure the reporting of any cyber incidents is fast and effective; underpin business continuity, and support compliance with relevant regulations and legislation. All of these things help to build and maintain customer trust, while mitigating against the various risks associated with cyber threats.  

Dependent on the specific needs of  your business, relevant cyber security processes could include:

• Compliance and Governance: Adherence to industry standards, regulations and best practice, supported by accreditations such as Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO27001.
• Continuous monitoring: Detecting anomalies and potential threats in real-time.
• Risk management: Identifying, assessing and prioritising risks so you can take preventative action.
• Incident response: Having a clear, well-documented response plan for addressing security incidents swiftly and effectively.

Technology

Having the right technology in place is just as important as the people and process side of things when it comes to cyber security. Tried and tested cyber security solution have a critical role to play in not only detecting and preventing cyber-attacks and incidents, but also in boosting your resilience against new and evolving cyber threats. 

There are a whole host of solutions to choose from and it really does depend on the needs of your business, but some examples are:

• Vulnerability management tools – these scan your devices and systems for known vulnerabilities, missing updates or misconfigurations, all of which can be remedied before an attacker has an opportunity to exploit them.
• Email threat prevention solutions – perhaps the best known of all cyber security solutions, there are a multitude of tools out there to help you with issues such as spam filtering, malware scanning, phishing detection and spoof prevention.
• Security assessments – also known as ‘Pen Tests’, these assessments involve ethical hackers  simulating attacks to identify and exploit weaknesses in your systems, weaknesses that you can then address.  Ideally carried out at least once a year, they should be a core component of your cyber security strategy and are often a prerequisite if you want to be a supplier to the UK government and other public sector organisations.

Work with the experts

At Kit365, our approach to cyber security has always been ‘People, Process and Technology’, working with our customers to achieve that perfect blend of people, process and technology to keep their businesses safe. We know that not all solutions, training programmes and processes suit every organisation, so we work alongside you, taking the time to get to know your business, making sure we deliver the right cyber security strategy to protect your business.

For more information on how we can help you to keep your business safe, get in touch today.