How to Protect Your Organisation from Cyber Attacks in 2024

In today’s sophisticated and dynamic digital landscape, the significance of being cyber aware cannot be overstated. In 2023, 59% of medium sized businesses reported a cyber-attack or data breach (69% for larger organisations). The proliferation of technology has undeniably revolutionised how we work, communicate, and conduct business.

However, with this digital advancement comes an array of cyber threats that loom over organisations. From clever hacking techniques to the vulnerabilities exposed by remote work setups, the need for heightened vigilance in cyberspace has never been more critical.

To contribute to the important work done by CyberScotland and to help spread awareness on building cyber resilience, our latest blog covers some of the challenges you are up against both online and offline and the measures you can take to protect your organisation.

Cyber security problems and protection solutions

Problem: escalating threat

Cybersecurity threats have been steadily on the rise, with more people falling victim to convincing online attacks; including, phishing scams, ransomware and supply chain attacks. Cunning tactics employed by malicious actors and weak security measures have made organisations more vulnerable to attack. Without stringent security measures in place, companies could face significant financial loss.

Solution 1: employee training and awareness

Educate employees about common cyber threats, phishing scams, and best practices for maintaining cyber hygiene. It’s important to provide training on a regular basis as scams evolve with the advancement of technology.

Solution 2: regular security audits and updates

Conduct regular security audits to identify vulnerabilities and ensure that systems and software are up to date with the latest security fixes. Identifying and improving on vulnerabilities confirms that protocols are in place in the instance of an attack and helps to minimise the impact of the event.

Problem: remote work

The rapid transition to remote and hybrid work has introduced a host of cybersecurity challenges for organisations worldwide. Remote employees accessing company networks from various locations and devices not only creates new entry points and expands the surface for cyber threats, but it also gives the IT department less supervision of employees’ networks. Moreover, the blurred lines between personal and professional devices further compound these risks. Without proper cybersecurity measures in place, remote work setups become vulnerable targets for cyber-attacks.

Solution 1: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Implement MFA across all systems and applications to add an extra layer of security against unauthorised access. So regardless of whether an employee is working on a personal device or a company one, from the office or a remote location, there is added protection when accessing company systems.

Solution 2: strong encryption and access controls

Encrypt sensitive data both in transit and at rest and enforce strict access controls to limit exposure to unauthorised users. Implementing encryption for data in transit and at rest ensures that even if your data is hacked, it is unreadable and cannot be accessed by an unauthorised user.

Problem: AI and sophisticated hacking/phishing

The arrival of AI has only exacerbated the escalated threat of cyber security. Cybercriminals leverage machine learning algorithms to automate and personalise phishing attacks, making them more convincing and difficult to identify. Additionally, AI-powered malware can adapt and evolve in real-time, bypassing traditional security measures with alarming ease, making messages look like they are coming from trusted sources. As AI continues to advance, so too will the capabilities of cybercriminals, highlighting the urgent need for proactive cybersecurity strategies.

Solution 1: Continuous monitoring and incident response

Deploy robust monitoring tools to detect suspicious activities in real-time and have a comprehensive incident response plan in place to mitigate the impact of security breaches. Continuous security monitoring helps to catch threats early and facilitates a proactive response to prevent detrimental impact.

Solution 2: Fight gen AI with adaptive AI

Investing in adaptive AI can help your system detect fraud and scams. Unlike generative AI, adaptive AI continually learns from past situations and can provide an automated defence platform against real-time AI scams and phishing.

Problem: cloud storage concerns

While cloud storage offers numerous benefits in terms of scalability and accessibility, it also introduces inherent security risks. Storing sensitive data in the cloud necessitates robust encryption protocols and stringent access controls to prevent unauthorised access or data breaches.

Solution 1: collaboration with cloud security experts

The shared responsibility model in cloud computing means that organisations must collaborate with cloud service providers to ensure comprehensive security measures are in place. Partner with cybersecurity experts to manage assets with critical exposures and strengthen existing security measures.

Solution 2: implement advanced malware protection

You can protect your cloud infrastructure by applying sophisticated IaaS such as AWS or Azure. These applications can secure your networks, both on-site and in the cloud, protecting general use of the organisation’s apps and files.

Continued focus on cybersecurity

The importance of being cyber aware cannot be overstated in today’s digital age. As cyber threats continue to evolve and proliferate, organisations must remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their digital assets.

Cybersecurity continues to be a core focus for organisations in 2024, and there is high demand for DevSecOps skills as they can help to deliver cost-effective solutions to mitigate cyber threats. Whilst it is possible to protect your organisation through outsourced cybersecurity providers, two thirds of data breaches were caused by bad outsourcing decisions. Therefore, those that can grow internal cybersecurity teams are encouraged to as it prevents further risks that outsourcing can bring.

Protect your organisation

Provide your organisation with the strongest cybersecurity protection by recruiting the country’s best technical talent. We have recruitment consultants that specialise in headhunting top cybersecurity and DevSecOps professionals across the UK and Finland. Contact Nicole (Scotland), Imogen (North of England) or Laura (Finland) to discuss your hiring needs today.