Cyber Resilience: Key Takeaways from Our Recent Workshop

Cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated, and frequent. Businesses, especially SMEs, must stay ahead. On Wednesday, March 19th, KubeNet, in partnership with CeeD, hosted a Cyber Resilience Workshop at UWS Lanarkshire Campus. While the event provided a great platform for discussion, the real value lay in the practical takeaways that can help businesses strengthen their cybersecurity posture.

Team Kube deliver cyber resilience workshop

Warming Up with Cyber Stats and Insights

To kick things off, we engaged attendees with an interactive Q&A, highlighting key cyber statistics that matter. Did you know that 90% of cyber breaches stem from human error? Or that 80% of UK businesses cite phishing as their most common cyber threat? These stats set the stage for deeper discussions on real-world cyber risks and how to combat them.

Our audience made up of SME directors, IT leaders, and security heads were not just there to listen. They actively participated, using our Cyber Resilience Checklist to track their own security practices throughout the session. The more ticks, the more resilient!

Key Cyber Resilience Takeaways

Cyber resilience isn’t just about preventing attacks, it’s about ensuring your business can recover quickly when incidents happen. Here are some of the most important lessons from the workshop:

1. Data Backup: Your Safety Net Against Data Loss

Your business relies on data every day, customer records, financial transactions, emails, and more. Losing access to this data due to cyberattacks, human error, or natural disasters can be devastating.

Follow the 3-2-1 Backup Rule: Keep three copies of your data, stored on two different media, with at least one copy offsite.
Use Secure Cloud Solutions: Cloud backups add redundancy and protection against physical damage.
Encrypt and Regularly Test Your Backups: Encrypted backups ensure your data remains protected, and regular testing ensures your backups are actually recoverable when needed.

2. Malware Protection: Stopping Attacks Before They Spread

Malware, including ransomware, spyware, and viruses can cause data loss, financial damage, and operational disruptions.

Install and Maintain Antivirus Software: A strong, updated antivirus program can detect and neutralise threats.
Enable Firewalls and Network Monitoring: Firewalls block unauthorised access, while network monitoring can detect suspicious activity.
Restrict the Use of USB Drives and External Storage: Unapproved devices can introduce malware into your systems.

3. Password Security: Strengthening the First Line of Defense

Weak passwords remain one of the easiest ways for cybercriminals to gain access to business systems. A single compromised password can lead to significant security breaches.

Use Strong, Unique Passwords for Each Account: Avoid common passwords and use at least 12 characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Even if a password is stolen, MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification.
Use a Password Manager: This helps employees securely store and manage their passwords, reducing password fatigue and improving security.

4. BYOD/Mobile Security: Protecting Data on the Go

With remote work and mobile devices becoming integral to business operations, ensuring their security is critical.

Enable Remote Tracking, Locking, and Wiping: If a device is lost or stolen, you should be able to lock or erase it remotely.
Keep Devices and Apps Updated: Security patches protect against vulnerabilities that cybercriminals exploit.
Avoid Public Wi-Fi: Encourage employees to use VPNs when working remotely to prevent data interception.

5. Phishing Attacks: Recognising and Preventing Social Engineering Scams

Phishing remains one of the most successful cyberattack methods, tricking employees into revealing sensitive information.

Train Employees to Spot Phishing Attempts: Look for urgent language, unexpected attachments, and mismatched sender addresses.
Use Email Filtering Tools: Implement security software to detect and block suspicious emails before they reach inboxes.
Verify Requests for Sensitive Information: Encourage a policy where employees verify unusual requests through a secondary communication method before taking action.

Knowledge Sharing in the CeeD Community

One of the most valuable parts of the event was the post-session discussions. We sat down with several attendees, addressing their specific security concerns and demonstrating practical solutions. These conversations reinforced KubeNet’s commitment to knowledge sharing and supporting businesses in the CeeD network. The feedback was clear: attendees left feeling more equipped to tackle cyber threats.

Take the Next Step in Cyber Resilience

Cyber resilience is an ongoing journey, not a one-time fix. If you’re looking to strengthen your business’s security posture, KubeNet is here to help.