Cyber crime is on the rise all the time in the 2020s. Systems for stealing data and phishing are getting increasingly sophisticated and more easily automated, meaning there’s never been a more important time to keep your digital wits about you. The silver lining of there being more attempts at crime is that solutions are also becoming more sophisticated and readily available. Quality cyber security basics are often enough to keep you relatively safe.
This article will share the basics of cyber security from a digital agency perspective, so you can set your business up in a safeguarded manner against common attack attempts.
Identity authentication is king in a modern cyber perimeter
Firewalls have been the primary defence for most digital operations in the past; however, changes to the modern workplace have made these systems less comprehensive. Now, a lot of employees work from home, anywhere in the world, through cloud computing, making strong identity authentication more essential than ever.
- Traditional 2-factor authentication (2FA) is no longer enough to keep a system secure. You need authentication apps to include elements like biometric authentication and physical security keys to minimise duplication risk.
- Creating a hierarchy of access is vital in modern business environments. Not everyone needs the same access to every file, so restructure the hierarchy to make people have as little access as possible without impacting their ability to work.
These identity layers will make it a lot harder for criminal technology to make duplications or spoof access into your systems.
Setting up clean recovery & resilience
Prevention should always be the goal, but sometimes you’re not going to be able to keep breaches at bay. If something does get through the cracks, you need good recovery and resilience systems in place to ensure you get back into a good swing of things in little to no time.
- Immutable backups are locked backups that cannot be deleted or encrypted, meaning you can recover information even when up against serious ransomware.
- It’s vital to have your playbook at the ready for all aspects of recovery. You can’t compromise on information for legal, PR and operational security. Those first 60 minutes are vital to saving impacts and money.
Cyber security basics are not just about your defence; it’s about knowing how to resurrect your operation in high-pressure situations.
Integrating AI into your defence system
Artificial intelligence is impossible to ignore in 2026. While many are using AI to create ridiculous memes or advertising materials, it can also be used in pursuit of your cyber security essentials certification.
- AI can monitor your systems continuously, ensuring real-time visibility across all devices, internal networks and cloud environments.
- AI can also be used to monitor the behaviour within your team, ensuring any anomalies in behaviour are brought to your attention immediately, or even freezing your accounts when necessary.
Neglecting AI in a modern business is leaving benefits on the table, so make sure you take the time to invest in it and integrate it into your defence suite.
Make sure your software is of the highest quality
Cyber security essentials need to be supported by quality software. Even if the protective elements aren’t particularly complex, you need to invest in systems with high quality standards.
- Make sure to check your Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) for the code in the software. This makes it easier to detect vulnerabilities.
- All partners and providers of software need to meet the same security standards as you, offering proof of their certifications and accolades.
You’re only as secure as your weakest link, so don’t cheap out on one aspect in an attempt to cut corners.
These cyber security basics are pretty simple and you don’t need to be a tech expert to understand them. With cyber criminals all over the web, covering your back with these basics is absolutely essential, so don’t allow for simple blindspots to catch you slipping.
