Cyber security is an essential aspect of any industry in today’s world. Our increased reliance on technology has seen online threats become ever more sophisticated, meaning that organisations must remain vigilant and ensure correct measures are in place to help protect their systems, reputation and most importantly, data.
According to the 2022 Cyber Security Breaches Survey these industries are 85% likely to hold data about customers, as opposed to 61% of businesses overall, as a result, professional service organisations are often a target for cyber criminals.
One of the most common cyber threats facing the professional services sector are phishing attacks, this involves fake emails or websites which trick users into revealing sensitive information. Unsuspecting users click on the links and are encouraged to hand over passwords or similar and the system then allows ransomware in, or data out, this can encrypt (convert into code) a business’s data and demands a payment in exchange for the data back.
Any breach of this information could mean severe consequences for the business and their clients, not least given the level of trust and confidentiality that clients would expect from these industries.
Businesses in this sector can take steps to educate their employees on how to safely identify and avoid phishing attacks, regularly back up their data and keep all devices and software up-to-date. By taking pro-active measures, the professional services sector can safeguard against cyber-attacks and protect their client and customer information.
For further guidance on protecting your business, please contact [email protected].
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The NEBRC is a Police led non-profit organisation that seeks to educate, inform, and support businesses across the UK on how to protect their business online through good cyber security practices.