To mark the new year, an Oxfordshire based IT firm has put together its predictions for the cyber security industry in 2023 to help businesses guard against cybercrime.
OX IT Solutions is helping combat the constant advancement in cybercrime by issuing key advice on how to combat the biggest threats of the year. They are also offering free security audits to all businesses and organisations to help them pinpoint their weaknesses.
The Oxford based company helps NHS trusts, schools and businesses across the UK protect against cyber security attacks.
Director of OX IT Solutions Chris Cope said: “This year, we can certainly expect the return of many of the trends that made headlines in 2022. However, as cyber criminals discover new vulnerabilities to exploit, it is likely we will see more sophisticated attacks which are harder to detect and harder to block.
“It is more important than ever that businesses of all sizes make cybersecurity a priority if they want to protect their sensitive data and prevent costly attacks.”
Mr Cope added: “Securing your IT investment in today’s environment can be time consuming, complicated and expensive. Our security review can help you address these challenges so we would encourage all businesses to take advantage of this in 2023.”
Just like last year, the team at OX IT Solutions expect ransomware to remain a constant threat to all businesses and organisations. Ransomware is a form of malware that specialises in extortion. It takes over a device, blocks access to data and demands a ransom for its release.
Over the last five years ransomware has cost UK businesses millions of pounds. To combat the threat, OX IT Solutions recommends making regular external backups of business-critical data and investing in advanced cybersecurity protection on all endpoints to block ransomware before it reaches your device.
“Phishing is a type of fraudulent attack spread through email, text messages or even voicemail attachments,” said Mr Cope. “Cyber criminals use this type of attack to con you into sharing your personal data”
“Last year it was the most common form of attack in the UK – in 2022 83% of businesses and 87% of charities claimed to have experienced an attack of this nature. In 2023, we expect phishing attempts to remain popular amongst cyber criminals and to increase in sophistication and severity.”
Mr Cope explained that phishing attacks are easily preventable if you know what to look for. Encouraging vigilance and education amongst staff should seriously reduce the number of low-level breaches.
The IT specialists also predict the cost of insurance premiums to skyrocket. Over the last few years, there has been a spike in the cost and compliance requirements of cyber security insurance.
Mr Cope added: “Since they first began offering the service, insurers have had to make significant payouts on claims from all kinds of malware attacks and data breaches. This year we predict a dramatic increase in insurance premiums for industries that were heavily targeted in 2022 like healthcare and manufacturing.”
OX IT Solutions specialises in providing network, infrastructure and cyber security solutions. It works with major blue-chip companies, healthcare institutions, local authorities and SMEs. Its clients include the Royal College of Nursing, NW London NHS Trust and Molton Brown.
