50% of UK businesses were hit by cyber attacks last year.

Do you worry your organisation might be next?

You might think your business is too small to draw the attention of a hacker, or that your annual security training has you covered. 

But that mindset is incredibly dangerous. 

Hackers are growing more sophisticated, and organisations that overlook their vulnerabilities are putting their reputation and clients at risk.

Things have changed. 

The question is no longer if your business will face a cyber threat. It’s when…

So, how do you protect your systems from cyber threats?

Well, the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. 

Cyber Security affects everyone – and your response and preparedness depend on:

• Size: Whether you’re a start-up or a blue chip, the scale of your company affects the scale of your systems and technology. It also affects the complexity, resource availability, and scope of the cybersecurity response plan.
• Sector: Generally, larger companies have a bigger attack surface and consequently require a bigger IT/ Information Security infrastructure. BUT this isn’t always the case – some large companies in manufacturing or extractive sectors have less data than much smaller digital companies.
• Information and/or IT maturity: The sophistication of detection, response, and recovery mechanisms, directly impact the plan’s effectiveness.
• Risk appetite and budgetary constraints: In this respect especially, all companies are unique.

A startup might face a completely different set of challenges compared to a manufacturing giant, even if the latter has a much larger footprint.

That’s why understanding your company’s specific needs is crucial when developing a detailed cybersecurity plan. 

The Cyber Attack Vulnerability Checklist

However, this 11-step checklist is a great starting point and will help you start to address the most common vulnerabilities to external cyber threats. 

1. Acknowledge the Risk: 

The truth is, there is no ‘100% security package’. No system will ever be completely immune to cyber threats.

So, the best any business can do is to be proactive. 

By making your organisation a harder target, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of potential attacks.

More importantly, shifting your mindset from “if” to “when” an attack occurs will allow for better planning, long term prevention and creation of a robust incident response plan.

2. Train Employees on Cybersecurity: 

Your employees are both your first line of defence and your biggest vulnerability. 

Phishing is the most common form of cyber attack – in business this means a hacker sending your colleagues emails tricking them into giving up sensitive information. (Think a fake password-reset email). These emails will often seem time sensitive and pressure readers into acting quickly and impulsively.

So, regular and engaging in phishing awareness (and wider cybersecurity training) for your employees is crucial. 

Focus on:

• Recognising phishing emails and suspicious links.
• Understanding social engineering tactics (manipulative techniques that trick employees into data breaches).
• Proper handling of sensitive data.
• Strong passwords.
• Reporting potential security incidents.

Top Tip: You could also gamify and reward the training process or use real-world simulations to really increase engagement.

3. Conduct Vulnerability Assessments:

Your assessment process should include:

• Automated scanning tools (e.g. a network security scanner) that look for known vulnerabilities.

AND

• Manual penetration testing for more complex issues. 

But discovery alone isn’t good enough—you need a structured approach to patching these weaknesses. 

Try to prioritise your vulnerabilities based on severity and potential impact. (You should always address the most threatening issues first).

4. Limit User Access: 

The principle of least privilege (PoLP) is key to effective cybersecurity. Learn it and use it.

It means your organisation should operate on a “need to know” basis. Users will only be able to access the data and systems they need to perform their jobs. 

By restricting access to only essential data and systems, you can greatly reduce the damage a breach can cause.

Implement:

• Role-based access control (RBAC).
• Regular access reviews and adjustments.
• Privileged access management (PAM) for administrative accounts.

This way, if one team member’s account is compromised, the access is limited and it won’t put your entire business at risk.

5. Backup Data Regularly: 

In the event of a ransomware attack or data loss, reliable backups can be your saving grace. 

If your business is compromised, a backup will prevent data loss and ensure you can resume operations easily without extra costs. 

Develop a backup strategy that includes:

• Regular, automated backups.
• Off-site or cloud storage for backup data.
• Encryption of backup files.
• Regular testing of backup integrity and restore processes.

Remember the 3-2-1 rule: 

Keep 3 copies of your data, on 2 different types of storage media, with 1 copy stored off-site.

6. Apply Security Patches & Updates: 

Unpatched vulnerabilities are a common entry point for cyber attacks. 

A patch refers to a weakness within your hardware, software, or system. This might be a coding error, poor password strength or issue with the code – and these vulnerabilities are usually ‘patched’ with updates.. 

To seal these patches, you need to:

• Set up automated updates where possible.
• Prioritise critical security patches.
• Test patches in a non-production environment before full deployment.
• Maintain an inventory of all software and systems for maximum coverage.

By regularly patching, you will make your business a far less attractive target for hackers. 

7. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): 

MFA has become the default option in most digital platforms and software. It provides an essential extra layer of protection beyond just passwords.

Multi-step (often multi-device) logins are designed to protect against imposters exploiting a single point of failure. For example, after entering their password, employees may have to enter a verification code from their email or phone. 

Many organisations see this essential security step as an inconvenience – some even turn it off. 

Pro tip: Don’t turn it off. Find more places to add it.

Make sure to:

• Choose appropriate authentication factors. E.g. something you know (your password), something you have (your mobile) or something you are (your voice).
• Consider risk-based authentication for sensitive operations.
• Educate users on the importance of MFA and how to use it effectively.

While it may cause friction for employees, it creates far more friction for would-be attackers.

8. Use a Firewall & Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): 

Intrusion Detection Systems monitor your network traffic for suspicious activity. While they won’t actively block attacks, they will quickly alert your organisation to any potential threats.

Firewalls, on the other hand, are as deadly as they sound. They act as a crucial line of defence by blocking malicious traffic before it can infiltrate your systems and compromise sensitive data.

Both IDS and firewalls work together as essential tools that safeguard your network.

When putting up firewalls and IDS:

• Make rules that block known malicious IP addresses and suspicious traffic patterns. (Regularly update these to address emerging threats).
• Monitor logs and alerts to identify potential security incidents.
• You could also consider next-generation firewalls (NGFW) for more advanced protection.

9. Deploy Endpoint Protection Solutions:

An endpoint refers to any digital device that connects to a network, such as a smartphone, laptop, or even a company server.

With the growing trend of remote work and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies, endpoint protection has become more vital than ever. Hackers often target off-site devices making them vulnerable entry points.

Endpoint protection is like having a security guard for each device in your company. It watches over your laptops, phones, and servers, stopping viruses and hackers before they can cause trouble. Typically it’s a blend of antivirus, behaviour monitoring, firewalls and more.

Look for solutions that offer:

• Advanced antivirus and anti-malware capabilities
• Endpoint detection and response (EDR) features
• Application control and whitelisting (only allows access to selected email and IP addresses etc.)
• Device encryption management

Securing your network and data means protection at every endpoint (and entry point)…

10. Encrypt Sensitive Data: 

Encryption converts your data into unreadable ciphertext, ensuring that even if cybercriminals gain access, they can’t interpret it. 

When properly encrypted, only a unique key in authorised software can unlock the encrypted information. 

This is a must (often legally), especially if your business handles sensitive details like payment card information.

Implement encryption:

• For data at rest (stored on devices and servers)
• For data in transit (being sent over networks)
• Using strong, industry-standard encryption algorithms with proper key management practices

This tactic is so effective, it is used by attackers. Ransomware attackers capture your company’s data and systems and encrypt it so nobody can access it. They then ‘offer’ to release it, but only if you pay them a fortune.

11. Conduct Regular Penetration Testing: 

Penetration testing goes hand-in-hand with the vulnerability assessments mentioned above. It is a proactive way to identify vulnerabilities that automated scans might miss. 

A security expert will use hacking methods to test and assess your business’s defences. This form of “ethical hacking” simulates a real attack but poses no actual risk.

It’s a reality check for many businesses who think they can overlook the importance of cyber security. 

Effective penetration testing should:

• Use both internal and external testers
• Simulate various attack scenarios (e.g. social engineering, network intrusion)
• Conduct follow-up tests to verify that vulnerabilities have been addressed

This approach is the most effective way to assess whether your systems are still at risk, even after following this checklist!

Remember: Cybersecurity Needs Constant Work.

The threat landscape is always evolving, and you need to grow with it.

By staying proactive, you can significantly reduce your risk to ensure your organisation is better prepared for potential security challenges. 

While this checklist is a great starting point, remember that there’s no universal solution for improving your company’s cybersecurity. 

Every business has unique needs, and developing a tailored plan that fits your organisation’s size, industry, and risk profile will offer the best protection.

At Cyber Alchemy, we specialise in creating customised cybersecurity solutions that provide true peace of mind. 

Interested? Contact us now and safeguard your business today!