Cybersecurity and Protecting Your Business Against Cyberattacks

London Business Hub is providing cybersecurity advice and information to help businesses and the self-employed work safely. Here, we provide advice and tips to protect your business against cyberattacks.

Malware attacks

Malware refers to software that is designed to damage IT systems, comprise your security or steal data. Examples include viruses, adware, ransomware, worms and spyware. Taking steps to protect your business from malware is crucial and will help keep your data and devices secure. 

Quad9 helps to secure your business’s web browsing activities by blocking unknown malicious sites that contain malware or attempt to steal your information. Find out more about Quad9.

Watering hole attacks

Watering hole attacks work by identifying a website that a business or sector frequently visits. That website is then compromised to enable malware to be distributed to visitors. The Police Digital Security Centre (PDSC) has published guidance to help protect your business from being targeted with malware. 

Ransomware attacks

Ransomware is a type of malware or malicious software that prevents you from accessing your device or the data that is stored on it. For example, the device may become locked or unusable, or the data might be stolen, deleted or encrypted so you cannot access it. In most ransomware attacks, the victim is asked to make a payment in order to unlock the device and regain access to any compromised data. 

The Police Digital Security Centre has published an infographic setting out practical steps you can take to reduce the risk and impact of a ransomware attack. The Metropolitan Police Service has also created a video with tips and advice to help you spot and prevent ransomware attacks. 

Denial of service attacks

Denial of Service (DoS) attacks are designed to make a service or website inaccessible. DoS attacks overwhelm a system with large volumes of requests until it becomes overloaded and crashes. The Police Digital Security Centre has published practical guidance about the steps you can take to reduce the risk and impact of a DoS attack.

Boost your cyber resilience

GCA Cybersecurity Toolkit

The GCA Cybersecurity Toolkit includes a series of interactive resources to help you protect your business. The toolkit covers a wide range of topics including:

• How to take an inventory of your devices and identify which items need to be secured.
• How to update your defences and protect your business against threats such as viruses and spyware.
• How to set strong passwords and set up multi-factor authentication.
• How to prevent phishing and malware attacks.
• How to defend your business against ransomware attacks.
• How to protect your email and reputation.

Exercise in a Box

Exercise in a Box is an online tool that helps your business find out how resilient it is to cyberattacks. You can also practice your response to a cyberattack in a safe environment.

Board Toolkit

The NCSC has published a series of resources to encourage cybersecurity discussions between board members and their technical teams. The NCSC has also published a Cybersecurity Toolkit for Boards.

Small Business Cybersecurity Guide

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published an online guide with practical, affordable tips to help your business improve its cybersecurity. You can also download a short overview of the guide.