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How your business can protect itself against cybersecurity threats

How your business can protect itself against cybersecurity threats
Tuesday, August 28, 2018

There were 3.1 billion personal data records breached in 2016, according to IT Governance. Many businesses have been caught out by cybercrime already and many more remain at high risk. Because of the large number of many different ways cybercrime can be carried out, you would be forgiven for thinking that it is impossible to protect your SME from cybercriminals.

 

That’s why in this article, the Panthera team explain what cybercrime is, the threats you could be facing, and how to protect your business against these threats.

 

What is cybercrime?

 

Cybercrime is the umbrella term for any criminal activity that is carried out over the internet (or, in some cases, by rogue employees and contractors). Usually, cybercriminals will attempt to access personal or company data to either sell it or hold you to ransom for it. As the internet has become ubiquitous connecting virtually every individual and business, the threat of cybercrime rises.

 

Types of cybercrime to be aware of

 

Two of the main types of cybercrime that are facing SMEs are:

 

Phishing

 

Phishing describes a situation where fraudsters pretend to be a representative of a company (usually a bank) and they attempt to persuade you to give their valuable personal details. A common example of this is an email phishing scam. Your business may receive an email from somebody pretending to work at a bank, telling you that your account has been hacked into and that they’ve had to suspend it. They will then attempt to gain your login information by telling you that they need to verify your identity to unlock your account.

 

Invoice redirection

 

This scam is very simple and it has left tens of thousands of SMEs out of pocket. You receive a letter from your supplier telling you that that their bank details have changed. When you transfer your next transfer through to the “new account”, it won’t be the supplier who receives it. This scam can be hard to detect because the letters will be fully branded and this apparent authenticity makes them seem official.

 

What SMEs can do to protect themselves

 

Although there are many ways that cybercriminals can attack your business, there are also lots of ways that you can protect yourself too.

 

Train your staff

 

Your workforce should be your first line of defence when it comes to a cyberattack. If your staff know what to look out for, then they can help stop a cyberattack before any damage is done. Additionally, making sure your staff aren’t making any unknowing mistakes that could leave your business vulnerable (for example, downloading suspicious email attachments or running certain types of app in their browser windows) to cyberattacks is a crucial part of cyber safety.

 

Get certified

 

The best way to make sure that your business is kept safe is through the Cyber Essentials Program. This is a government-backed scheme that helps educate businesses across the country about cyber security. Additionally, you can display the certification when you are looking for clients – letting them know their data is safe in your hands.

 

Work in the cloud

 

By moving your working processes into the cloud, you can make use of the top of the range firewalls and cybersecurity measures that come with it. Programs like Office 365 and Xero have built-in security features that make hacking them almost impossible. This is the best way to protect your work, while not sacrificing your productivity.

 

We can help

 

Cybercrime is a very real threat to your business. One mistake could leave you thousands of pounds out of pocket and cause your reputation severe damage. Once you have spoken with a specialist consultant to find out what you need to protect your company, come to us and we’ll help you find a way to pay for it.

 

Call us today on 01235 768 561 or drop us an email to enquiries@pantheraaccounting.com – we’ll be back in touch with you shortly.

 

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

For us, there is nothing better than a happy customer. Here are just a few that let us know how much we mean to them.

Pete Dungey

Simple, efficient and most importantly, hassle-free.

We found Panthera via our search for a Xero expert. We knew the software we wanted to use, and needed a forward-thinking accountancy partner who could get us up and running, and teach us the ropes moving forward. Tory and her team have always been on hand to answer our questions, and help us to grow as a business, particularly during periods of big change, such as becoming VAT registered. They are always on hand to alleviate any concerns and help to keep our records in order, which makes our year-end accounts an absolute breeze! Being based in Bristol, our relationship is entirely email based, alongside one consolidation meeting at year end - this keeps things simple, efficient and most importantly, hassle-free.

Pete Dungey | Kaleido Grafik Limited
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The support and service we receive from Panthera Accounting is very good. Everything from regular meetings, a prompt e mail response and the transition of our Xero software (which we find very pro active indeed) has and is all remarkably efficient. We find Panthera talk our language and make any process as painless and easy as possible.

Anita van Eijndhoven | Quidne-IT
Ash & Tim Lane

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We got in touch with Panthera Accounting by way of a recommendation; we haven't looked anywhere else since. They are an extremely professional yet relaxed group of people. We were slightly daunted by the idea of accountants but Panthera brushed aside y the stereotypes. They are very understanding when answering any questions we may have. They are completely efficient, offer sound business advice, and are fantastically priced. We will continue to recommend them.

Ash & Tim Lane | Starveacre Fencing
Jayne Johnson

An Asset to my Business!

The whole team at Panthera are great! Working with them has been a huge support to my growing business. They help me to understand the numbers I need to know. They give me technology solutions like Xero so that I can process things quickly and have access to my own figures. They are quick to reply, highly knowledgeable, nothing is too much trouble and as well as making sure that everything is compliant and on time, they are enthusiastic, professional and fun to work with.

Jayne Johnson | Better People
John Baker

Absolute joy - they provide a first class service on every level

Working with Tory and the team at Panthera is an absolute joy - they provide a first class service on every level; from simple Xero issues through to more complicated tax enquiries, they’re always on-hand to help me get it right. I’m certainly not their biggest customer, but I’m always made to feel like their most important one.

John Baker | BKR Solutions
John Castle

Professional and Friendly

I would like to say that Panthera Accounting have helped me with my business accounts for more than 4 years now. They have consistently offered an excellent competitively priced service that works both professionally and in such a friendly way that I would highly recommend them to everyone considering using their services.

John Castle | Ilexanna Limited & Birch Castle Homes Limited
Jonathan Morrison

They are always there to answer queries and sort out issues

I had been with Mr Dunn for 20 years when upon his death Panthera took over the business. They now play a bigger part in the running of my business, they do all the stuff that has to be done but I don't like doing ie book keeping, VAT, wages, and returns. They are always there to answer queries and sort out issues and make sure all Tax deadlines are met. Their costs are fair, service is great and I have and would highly recommend them.

Jonathan Morrison | Wallingford Builders
Pippa Scott

Professional, friendly and personal service.

Panthera Accounting have gone above and beyond the call of duty to guide and support our Company. They offer a professional, friendly and personal service that can take the stressful and sometimes frightening feelings out of running a business. They have guided us through the working of Xero and have offered “teaching sessions” on the day to day running of the accountancy package. Our only regret is that we didn’t join their team earlier.

Pippa Scott | Scott's Commercial Services Limited
Sara Southey

Panthera puts the personal back in to accountancy!

Tory and her team have provided a friendly, approachable and helpful service from the start. They have delivered a quality service, above and beyond anything I could have expected. Panthera, with the help of the Xero package, have taken the stress, strain and confusion out of managing my company and personal accounts. I look forward to working with them for many years to come.

Sara Southey | Bluestones Garden Design
Tracey Miller

Panthera are fantastic.

Panthera are fantastic. Always professional, going the extra mile for their clients and delivering superb service. I recommend them all the time to my clients.

Tracey Miller | Bigger, Brighter, Bolder BBB

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