Facing the cyber threat behind the headlines

Notice

This blog post is a revised version of a letter originally published in the Times. (opens in a new tab, subscription required)

The recent series of significant cyber attacks serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing threat we face. These incidents are not isolated; they reveal the daily realities encountered by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

Cyber attacks have tangible repercussions, disrupting essential services, inflicting heavy financial burdens on businesses, and often jeopardizing personal data of consumers.

This situation is unacceptable. The NCSC operates tirelessly to support those affected, fight against online threats alongside government and law enforcement, and equip organizations with the tools needed to bolster their defenses.

While the NCSC provides valuable advice and recommendations free of charge, compliance is unfortunately lacking in many sectors. We are witnessing a growing disparity between the escalating cyber threats to the UK and our shared capacity to combat them.

From neighborhood cafes to critical national service providers, every entity should be proactive in minimizing potential incidents and establishing a clear response strategy in case of an attack.

Effective risk management is essential, and any leader who believes they can bypass the realities of cyber risks must reconsider their position.

As mentioned at CYBERUK in Manchester, the realm of cyber security is competitive, requiring us to manage all controllable factors while anticipating uncontrollable variables.

The recent headlines should serve as a strong call to action. It is imperative for organizations to intensify their efforts, not only in defense but also in planning for potential outcomes following a successful attack.

We encourage all organizations to adhere to NCSC guidelines to enhance their online safety:

Incident Response – guidelines on effectively detecting, reacting, and recovering from cyber incidents.
Response & Recovery – support for those affected by online scams or cyber attacks.
Cyber Governance for Boards – tools for board members to manage cyber risks effectively.
Data Breach Guidance – steps to take when data held by an organization is compromised.
Cyber Essentials – a government-endorsed certification that safeguards your organization and customer data from cyber threats.