Philip Mashinchi, CEO, Cambridge Cyber Security:
I have just come back from a meeting with a company that had been compromised costing them money, impacting their reputation and giving the MD sleepless nights. In their case, a hacked email account had been the start of the compromise and when I asked about MFA (multi-factor authentication), he said they had not enabled it yet! Hence this little message to try and save other company owners/directors from sleepless nights.
Cyber crime doesn’t just happen to big companies we hear about in the news most weeks. Every organisation, no matter the size, is at risk. The good thing is that you don’t need to be a tech expert to protect yourself.
A few small changes can make a huge difference in keeping you, your family and your business safe, secure, and stress-free.
Here are a few reminders of simple steps that will make a difference. These represent industry best practices, so the question is, are you implementing them? If so, credit to you. If not, do something about it NOW.
✅ Use Strong Passwords
Weak or repeated passwords are an open door for hackers. Create longer passwords that are hard to guess by using three random words, something memorable but unpredictable, like CoffeeTrainBicycle.
Avoid personal details and don’t reuse passwords across accounts. If you find it hard to keep track, a password manager can help you stay secure.
✅ Turn On Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
MFA adds a second step when you log in, like the code sent to your phone by your banking app. Even if someone steals your password, they can’t get in without that extra check.
✅ Watch Out for Phishing Scams
Be cautious with unexpected emails or texts that:
Ask for passwords or payment details
Sound urgent or threatening
Contain links or attachments you weren’t expecting
If something feels off, don’t click. Check with the sender or your IT support team first.
✅ Keep Everything Updated
Outdated software is a hacker’s best friend. Turn on automatic updates for your computer, phone, and apps so you’re always protected with the latest security fixes.
✅ Back Up Your Data
Regular backups mean you won’t lose everything if you’re hacked or your system fails. Use both cloud and offline storage and test your backups occasionally to make sure they actually work.
✅ Help Your Team Stay Aware
Most cyber attacks start with a simple human mistake. Take time to share tips and reminders with your family and team so everyone knows how to spot and avoid online threats.
You don’t need to do everything at once. Start with one or two of these steps today. Each one helps protect you, your business, your data, and your peace of mind.