Blog
The CybSafe blog is a collection of stories, updates and guidance for people-centric security professionals.
Does the thought of managing human cyber risk keep you up at night? You’ve come to the right place!
Many things in life can be measured. Our height, the distance we ran, how short our last relationship was… It’s no different when it comes to cyber security. Human-cyber risk can be measured. But where do you begin? Pull up a chair and grab a snack, let’s explore the...
The top cyber security attitudes and behaviours of 2021 you need to know about
Houston, we have a problem. For too long, we’ve neglected the most integral element of cyber security… people. There’s been a lack of understanding about how personal habits affect cyber security. Whether you have a tendency to procrastinate, take risks or always...
How to make your security awareness training more effective
In the UK alone, 39% of companies have fallen victim to a cyber breach or attack over the past year. Organisations face a host of consequences when their systems are hacked. For starters, the average financial cost of a cyber breach to British firms is $3.88 million!...
What exactly is security awareness?
Did you know that most cyber breaches occur due to human error? That’s because most people aren’t aware of the cyber security threats that put themselves and their organisations at risk! Without basic security awareness, we're more likely to click on phishing links or...
Why language matters in cyber security
Language is at the heart of communication. Every time we speak or write, we choose language appropriate to our audience to get our desired message across. Why should it be any different in cyber security? Yet, the cyber security industry has a problem. Too often,...
Why are healthcare organisations targets for cyber attacks?
Healthcare services are under pressure. The Covid-19 pandemic has stretched them to their limit. As if the strains of a pandemic weren’t enough, healthcare organisations have also been subject to cyber attacks. We’d like to think our healthcare services are immune to...
The Internet of Things and cyber security: what are the risks?
In today's society, we are more interconnected than ever before. The devices we use are linked in unprecedented ways. A big factor behind this is the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT). It brings internet connectivity to a range of devices. From watches and phones...
Is your digital footprint making you prone to attacks?
Every time you access the internet you leave a data trail that contributes to your “digital footprint”. Each of us has a digital footprint. It’s the accumulation of our online data produced over time. Together, this data creates a rich picture of our habits and...
Why disciplining human error doesn’t work when it comes to cyber security
Nobody likes being punished. So why are we so quick to punish those who fall victim to cyber-attacks? A recent study by CybSafe found 4 in 10 organisations choose to discipline staff who make cyber security errors. There’s no doubt we need to respond when such...
Ransomware attack on the Irish Health Service Executive
Last week, the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) suffered a cyber attack which forced a temporary shutdown of its IT systems. This caused huge disruption across the service. Following the attack, patients’ personal and medical information was shared online and a...
Personalising cybersecurity in the workplace
Most cyber security solutions take a one-size-fits-all approach. Everyone gets the same training and the same simulated phishing emails. Yet, we all respond to cyber threats in different ways. Our personalities and differences often play a key role in how we act. For...
Burnout in the tech industry
We need to talk about burnout. Sadly, it’s something most of us will be all too familiar with, particularly in the tech industry. A post-pandemic study revealed 62% of cyber security professionals found their role stressful. This year, the lines between work and home...
How does personality influence your cyber risk?
People are central to cyber security. Empowered with the right skills and tools, people can protect themselves and their organisations from cyber attack. But people aren’t all the same. Each of us has our own personality. And studies show links between our...
How to build good cyber security habits
We are all creatures of habit. Some habits we’d rather get rid of. But others can be beneficial. When it comes to cyber security, building good habits is essential. By building better security behaviour into our lives, we reduce our cyber risk. So how do we go about...
Three approaches to help you stay secure with remote working
The way we work is changing. Our approach to cyber security needs to change too. Remote working is here to stay. Even when we reach the day where workplaces open their doors again, things won’t be as they were. CybSafe will be joining a growing list of...
The 4 key factors for a successful phishing simulation
Phishing attacks are a problem. Over the past year, 88% of professionals reported an increase in phishing attacks. It can happen to anyone, at any time. For many, the go-to solution to this problem is a simulated phishing attack. But for this to be a success, it has...
Why Phishing Training Is Important
Phishing attacks are the most common cyber threat to UK businesses. This form of cyberattack can be remarkably unsophisticated. Yet, the disruption caused can be huge. So why are phishing attacks such a problem? What can be done to limit their success? ...
How successful was the UK’s National Cyber Security Strategy (NCSS) 2016-2021?
In 2016, the government launched its National Cyber Security Strategy (NCSS). The five-year plan (2016-2021) was underpinned by £1.9 billion in funding. Its purpose was to make the UK “secure and resilient to cyber threats.” Has the NCSS achieved its aims? Let’s look...
How can phishing affect a business?
Phishing attacks are on the rise. In 2020, 93% of UK organisations were targeted by Covid-19-related malware. 88% of security professionals reported an increase in phishing attacks. Typically, criminals behind phishing attacks aren’t attempting to steal money....
How can we prepare for the challenges of hybrid working in 2021?
When Covid-19 swept the world, businesses moved rapidly to enable remote working. Before the pandemic, less than 30% of people in the UK had ever worked remotely. In April 2020, nearly half of UK employees worked at home. Looking ahead, a wholesale return to office...
What the government must do to tackle cyber crime
Almost half of UK businesses (46%) and a quarter of UK charities (26%) reported cyber security breaches or attacks in the last 12 months. The figures are higher for medium-sized businesses (68%) and large businesses (75%). Cybercrime is on the rise. So it’s just as...