Fortify Your Business during 2025’s Cyber Security Awareness Month

The threat landscape is constantly evolving, and proactive measures are no longer optional – they’re essential for maintaining operational resilience and safeguarding your reputation. As cyber security specialists, we’re here to guide you through these simple but vital steps.

Why Focus on Data Security?

Cyber Security Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness and reinforce best practices. It’s a perfect opportunity to review your organisation’s security posture, train your staff, and ensure you’re prepared for the challenges ahead.

1. Master the Password Puzzle: Build a Strong Foundation

Weak passwords remain a significant vulnerability, and we often see this as a starting point in many security incidents. This Cyber Security Awareness Month, review your password policies and ensure they are up to date. We advocate for complex and unique passwords. Don’t use easily guessable information and consider using a password manager to generate and securely store them. We offer password management solutions and consulting to help your organisation implement a robust password hygiene programme.

• The NCSC is working to reduce organisations' reliance on their users having to recall large numbers of complex passwords. This guidance advocates a greater reliance on technical defences and organisational processes, with passwords forming just one part of your wider access control and identity management approach.
• Adopting the 'three random words' technique can help users to use suitably complex passphrases that they can remember.
• Turn on 2-step verification – Whilst a strong password is an excellent start at protecting accounts, setting up 2-step verification provides extra protection in that, even if someone gains access to your password, without your 2nd verification step, your account is still inaccessible to attackers.
• Use a password manager to save all your passwords. This allows you to set strong unique passwords for all your accounts and you only need to remember one. By having unique passwords for every account, even if one of your passwords is stolen, your other accounts are unaffected.
• Has your password been leaked in a data breach? You can check if your email address or password has been found in a data breach and if so, you can take the above steps to change that password to a new unique password, setup 2FA, and keep your account(s) protected.
• Consider stronger authentication methods like passkeys or security keys that offer convenience in that you have no password to remember but have the security of your authentication requiring a physical token or device, thus thwarting any phishing attempts as there is no password to steal.

2. Be Phishing-Wise: Recognise and Avoid Deception

Phishing attacks continue to be a pervasive threat, and they’re becoming increasingly sophisticated. Throughout October’s Cyber Security Awareness Month and beyond, encourage your team to be extra vigilant. Always think before you click! Double-check the sender’s address and be wary of urgent or suspicious requests. Our expert team is always monitoring for new phishing techniques, and we offer comprehensive phishing simulation and awareness training programmes to help your employees stay safe – a perfect initiative for Cyber Security Awareness Month!

3. Secure Your Physical Space: Don’t Overlook the Basics

Cyber security isn’t solely about digital systems; it encompasses physical security too. This month, take a fresh look at your physical security protocols. Never let anyone follow you into restricted areas without verifying their identity. Salus helps organisations implement robust physical security measures, and we can assess your physical security controls to identify and mitigate potential risks.

4. Lock It Down – Literally! Simple Habits, Significant Impact

Reinforce the importance of this basic habit with your staff. Make it a habit to lock your screen every time you step away, even for a few seconds. We can help your organisation enforce these best practices through policy implementation and security awareness training – an excellent addition to your Cyber Security Awareness Month activities.

As cyber security specialists, we provide organisations with the tools and expertise to protect their most valuable assets. Let us help you make this month a turning point in your organisation’s data protection journey.