Reading: Companies are 'failing to protect' their devices from cyber attacks

A survey by Reading company Ultima, a leading provider of on-premise and cloud IT infrastructure and managed service solutions, has again highlighted the urgent need for UK business to take cyber security more seriously. The survey found that 65% of companies don’t have any security solutions deployed onto their mobile devices, and 68% of companies do not have an awareness programme aimed at employees of all levels to ensure they are cyber aware.

The survey also found that 76% of companies still don’t have controls in place to detect and prevent zero-day/unknown malware entering their organisations, and 74% don’t have an incident management process established to respond to cyber incidents and prevent reoccurrences.

Scott Dodds, CEO, Ultima, said: “It’s shocking that in 2017 so many companies are still failing to protect their businesses appropriately from cyber-attack. We know from research by Check Point* the average enterprise downloads unknown malware every four seconds, and yet a third of UK companies by their own admission are woefully underprepared for such attacks. What’s more, they are not educating their employees who are often the first line of defence with regard to cyber threats.

“Without the right cyber security in place companies risk being held to ransom or could face going out of business. Not many businesses can survive catastrophic data loss, particularly in light of the forthcoming GDPR legislation. Putting the best possible threat prevention tools in place should be a high priority for all boardroom discussions as the capabilities increase and the costs continue to reduce for decent cyber security.”

With a rapidly changing IT landscape, systems that were once integrated, dynamic and fit for purpose become tired, archaic and unsupported from cyber-attack. The larger and more geographically dispersed IT gets, the harder it is to maintain visibility and the easier it is for attackers to penetrate. Traditional perimeter IT security controls, such as firewalls, do not protect businesses against all forms of Internet borne malware threats. To ensure a robust, up-to-date solution is protecting your business 24/7 engaging a managed IT service solutions provider is a good way to protect your business.

*Check Point Software Technologies, 2016 Security Report