Stoke-based digital forensics experts, SYTECH Consultants, have called on Staffordshire businesses to prioritise their cybersecurity in what has been described as an ‘era of growing cyber threats’.
According to the Centre for Economics and Business Research, the cost of cybercrime to the UK economy was £27 billion last year, with 43% of small businesses experiencing a cyber-attack in the past 12 months alone.
Now SYTECH MD Daren Greener has urged businesses across Staffordshire to act fast before their data is targeted.
Daren said: “Cybersecurity is not just a technical issue, it is a business imperative.
“Protecting your organisation from cyber threats is as essential as locking your doors at night. The cost of a breach goes beyond the financial; it damages trust, damages reputation, and can bring a business to its knees.
“The key to success is not only embracing technology but also safeguarding it with vigilance and dedication.”
One of the most popular preventive measures offered by SYTECH is a state-of-the-art penetration test, often referred to as a pen test or ethical hacking, that analyses potential vulnerabilities and weaknesses that could be exploited by malicious actors. The primary goal of the test is to simulate real-world cyberattacks and assess the overall security posture of an organisation or system.
SYTECH recently partnered with Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce on a new initiative designed to test the Chambers’ own web security – with findings of a two-day ‘pen test’ reporting a ‘highly-secure’ website that reflects a ‘proactive approach to cyber security’.
Chris Plant, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce deputy CEO, said: “In today’s digital age, cybersecurity is a non-negotiable element of any organisation’s success. Staffordshire Chambers recognises this reality.
“Realising the critical importance of safeguarding our digital assets, we have partnered with SYTECH on a new initiative to help bolster our cybersecurity, including access to an industry-leading Penetration Test to help map and assess our website.”
SYTECH, who operate from offices in Stoke and South Wales, have an impressive range of clients that include the Ministry of Defence and the Home Office.
Haris Ahmed, SYTECH’s Business Development Manager, said: “If you are a business, and particularly a smaller business, it’s important to think about the different impacts these attacks can have on you and your customers.
“Cyber-attacks can damage your businesses’ reputation and erode the trust your customers have which could potentially lead to loss of customers and sales – not to mention the legal consequences of a breach. If this data is accidentally or deliberately compromised, and you have failed to deploy appropriate security measures, you may face fines and regulatory sanctions.
“Unfortunately, many small and medium-sized enterprises may not have the security or infrastructure in place that many larger organisations may do, which is one of the main reasons they are highly targeted. SYTECH are able to provide consultancy and training for awareness against such common attacks of phishing, malware, remote access to name a few.”
“Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce is setting a commendable example, and SYTECH Consultants is here to guide you on your journey to a robust secure network.”
Find out more about SYTECH, here.
