What did you miss?
Apart from wine tasting, a goodie bag, a fun quiz, and a lunch with a view?
We had a great time hosting two leading cybersecurity experts, Andre Lynch from Connectwise and Chris White, Police Detective Inspector at the South East Cyber Resilience Centre (SECRC). Here’s a quick recap of their key insights:
1. What is considered “good” cybersecurity?
Andre Lynch opened with a deep dive into today’s cyber threats, highlighting the dramatic rise in phishing, ransomware, and advanced threats. What’s considered a good defence against them?
Andre presented a framework involving three pillars: technology, people, and processes. He explained the importance of integrated security systems like Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), which provide continuous monitoring, threat detection, and quick response capabilities. But it’s not just about tech—employee training and clear incident response plans are vital too.
2. Building cyber resilience
With digital threats targeting all industries, cybersecurity is no longer just an IT concern; it’s a core part of protecting business operations and reputation. Chris White provided practical tips for spotting phishing attacks, which remain the most common entry point for cyber threats—accounting for over 90% of all breaches. He noted that simple red flags, like generic greetings, urgent requests, and suspicious links, are often giveaways of phishing attempts. With 605 million phishing emails opened every day, it’s essential for every team member to stay vigilant.
Chris also shared actionable steps for preparing for and recovering from attacks. Only 22% of organisations currently have a formal incident response plan, a gap that could lead to serious business interruptions in the event of a breach. He encouraged attendees to adopt response frameworks and offered resources like a downloadable incident response plan to help organisations prepare effectively.
3. Key threats addressed
- Phishing: With phishing responsible for 90% of cyberattacks, both speakers underscored how crucial employee awareness is. Phishing awareness training was recommended as a top strategy for reducing risk.
- Ransomware as a Service (RaaS): Sold like a subscription, RaaS is on the rise and can disrupt operations significantly. Andre explained how layered security and strong backup systems can help mitigate their impact on businesses.
- Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs): Sophisticated APTs use tactics like zero-day attacks, which require advanced threat detection tools to manage effectively.
4. Fun facts: what do flippers and pineapples have to do with cybersecurity?
Everything, according to Chris! We had a chance to see devices police encounter regularly: the pineapple device and the flipper. The former mimics legitimate Wi-Fi networks to trick users into connecting, allowing it to intercept data or even deliver malware. The latter is a handy multi-tool for security professionals, enabling them to test and manipulate wireless and digital signals. It can mimic signals from common devices like garage door remotes or access control cards. Although they may seem straight from a spy thriller, both devices remind us how creative and unexpected cyber threats can be.
How can we help?
To make cybersecurity straightforward, we designed ERGOS Shield as a tailored package for Foundation, Advanced, and Enterprise-ready clients. You can read more about ERGOS Shield here.
Missed out on our giveaways?
To celebrate the ERGOS Shield launch event, we’re also excited to offer a free phishing test, courtesy of one of our trusted partners. This test is ready to deploy immediately and a great way to assess your team’s readiness to recognise and respond to phishing threats.
If you’d like to learn more about ERGOS Shield or take advantage of this phishing test offer, please reach out to your Account Director, email us at info@ergos.uk, or call 020 3818 3411. We look forward to working with you to build a more resilient future.