Education is Key to Cybersecurity

Peter Job, CEO and founder of Intergence, opened the event by stressing the importance of educating employees about cybersecurity threats. He noted that the weakest link in any organisation's security is often human error, which can be mitigated through consistent training and awareness.

"One of the biggest issues around cybersecurity is really educating yourselves and your team," said Peter. "Most attacks can be avoided with proper awareness and vigilance."

Cybersecurity is About Process, Not Just Technology

While cutting-edge technology is essential in the fight against cyber threats, Peter reminded attendees that strong processes are just as important. Setting up robust procedures for data backup, access control, and patching can make all the difference when an attack occurs.

He referenced the case of Bristol Airport, which suffered a costly infrastructure failure due to outdated systems. "Their lack of investment in upgrading infrastructure led to significant disruptions. Following best practices is crucial to avoid such disasters," Peter explained.

Managed Security Services: Let Experts Do the Heavy Lifting

Intergence’s Chief Revenue Officer, Martin Male, shared practical tips that businesses can adopt to improve their cybersecurity posture. He highlighted the benefits of working with a managed security service provider (MSSP) like Intergence, which partners with industry leaders like Fortinet to deliver advanced protection.

"Cybersecurity is a forever war" , Martin explained. "We now face not just criminality but also state actors and activists targeting various sectors. By partnering with experts, businesses can stay ahead of evolving threats."

Martin also shared the importance of keeping software up to date, implementing least-privilege access, and ensuring employees are properly trained to spot phishing attacks.

Real-World Examples: Learning from Others’ Mistakes

The event featured real-world stories, such as a ransomware attack on a local accounting firm and the incident at Bristol Airport. Both cases underscored the importance of backups and following best practices for system maintenance and upgrades. In the case of the accounting firm, having reliable backups meant the difference between a minor disruption and a major business failure.

"We were able to roll back the systems within a few days, avoiding significant damage. But not everyone is that lucky," said Martin.

Fortinet’s Expert Insights: Staying Ahead of the Cyber Threat Landscape

Nish from Fortinet provided a deep dive into the evolving threat landscape and how businesses can protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. He discussed how Fortinet’s tools, combined with Intergence’s services, provide end-to-end security coverage through the MITRE ATT&CK kill chain, ensuring that businesses can respond quickly to threats at any stage of an attack.

Prevention Over Remediation

As always, prevention is better than remediation. While having the capability to recover from a cyberattack is essential, preventing the attack from happening in the first place is far more cost-effective. The experts at Intergence emphasised the importance of developing a comprehensive security policy, training employees regularly, and working with security partners to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.