The current business landscape is more interconnected than it has ever been. This increased interconnectivity has brought with it incredible opportunity, but it has also carried an inflated degree of risk. That’s why cyber security has become such a critical component of any modern business’s strategy.
Cyber resilience refers to the ability of any business to anticipate and prevent cyber-attacks, security stress or compromised data systems. However, it is not only the preventative capability of specific cyber security measures but also the ability of any business to recover and continue normal operations (or as close to normal as possible) after such incidents have occurred.
This is true business resilience and the rewards of instilling this kind of culture can be significant, to say the least.
Traditional cyber security measures are designed to focus on preventing breaches in the first instance. They include tools such as firewalls and antivirus software, and while no business with a digital presence can afford to be without them, the evolving nature of cyber threats means a more proactive and comprehensive approach to digital security is required.
This is highlighted by a recent study by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) which reported a 16% increase in hostile cyber activities in 2024 when compared to the previous year. This leap seems to indicate that relying on traditional cyber security measures alone is not enough and is leaving businesses vulnerable to disruption and potential reputational damage.
The consequences of a cyber-attack can be long-lasting and severe. Not only are there financial losses associated with downtime, fines and remediation, but damage to reputation can lead to a loss of both customer trust and growth opportunities. A UK government survey looking into cyber security breaches in 2024 found that 22% of all businesses had experienced a breach in the last 12 months, a figure which rose to 58% for all large businesses. Of all those affected, 44% said they suffered long-term negative impacts, which included reputational damage.
A key case study would be the British Library incident which saw a significant breach of its digital services. Hackers trawled through confidential documents, including staff contracts, and attempted to sell the information online. This led to a loss of public trust in the institution and its ability to safeguard information. The British Library is still dealing with the consequences of the attack more than 18 months after its discovery.
As we head into 2025 and cyber threats continue to evolve, businesses are facing a whole new set of challenges. These evolving threats can be grouped into a number of core categories.
Ransomware
Cyber attackers encrypt an organisation’s data and then demand payment for the restoration. The NCSC reported dealing with more than 300 attacks of this kind in 2024, which was a major increase from the previous year.
Insider threats
Not all threats are external: employees or contractors also pose security risks, either by intentional or unintentional activity leading to data breaches.
Supply chain attacks
This is when third-party vendors attack or try to infiltrate a business’s data systems.
AI cybercrime
As AI becomes much more sophisticated, criminals are able to utilise its power to carry out attacks, such as deepfake scams.
As a result of the increased risk and public concern, the regulatory environment is also becoming much more severe. For example, the NIS2 Directive has been introduced to enhance the security of networks across Europe. Also in Europe, the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) has been designed to focus on ensuring financial entities are able to withstand all types of disruptions and threats. Businesses need to ensure they are compliant with all applicable regulatory legislation, or else they face substantial fines.
As mentioned above, building cyber resilience is about more than simply utilising the various security tools available. In order to be truly resilient, a business needs to develop a multi-faceted approach that includes various key positions, including a proactive threat management strategy, incident response measures, training and awareness and investment.
Let’s take a closer look at how these resiliency strategies can be implemented.
Leadership and governance
Although cyber resilience relies on buy-in from staff at all levels, the example is set at the top. Resilience must be championed by staff at the highest level and integrated into the business from the top down. It should be included in the overall business strategy, and the right level of attention should be paid to it from the boardroom down.
Ideally, there should be a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) in place to facilitate cross-departmental collaboration. It is their role to ensure that all areas of the business are aligned in security efforts and know what to do in the event of an attack.
Proactive threat management
If it has not already taken place, then there needs to be a shift from the reactive to the proactive in cyber security strategy. An attack is increasingly likely to happen, and being caught flat-footed could significantly worsen the impact. A true proactive stance involves continuous monitoring of data and anticipating any potential threats.
In addition, extended detection and response (XDR) means implementing more advanced systems to give the business a greater degree of visibility. This should also focus on rapid response capabilities, meaning that when an attack does happen, the business can respond as quickly as possible. Adopting a ‘zero trust’ approach is also helpful. Verification procedures ensure that no one gets access to something they shouldn’t and can minimise the risk of sensitive data falling into the wrong hands.
Incident response and recovery
As outlined above, a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy is also about how quickly the business is able to recover. This, in large part, is all about planning. Developing and updating a plan to deal with potential breaches should keep everyone on their toes and ensure swift, effective action.
Businesses should also look into setting up protocols to maintain operations in the immediate aftermath of an attack. This could take the form of a business continuity and disaster recovery plan so that every department is on the same page during the crucial moments following an incident. Finally, in order to make sure that staff are really ready for an event, conducting drills and real-world simulations can help to refine response strategies and road test plans for when the real thing does occur.
Employee awareness and culture
In order to ensure buy-in from all staff, businesses need to provide the right levels of support and training. The fact is that humans are often the weak link in the chain, and human error can lead to a wide range of security risks. That’s why it is vital to try and create a culture of awareness throughout the organisation, as well as tailoring training to different departments.
This should include role-based training, which focuses on the support and training required by different positions. The other key thing to remember is that training is never a one-off. Try to discourage the view that training is an isolated event and foster the idea that security is an ongoing concern. Regular updates, drills and sessions should be organised to make sure all staff are on the same page and prepared for security events. Keeping security at the top of the priority list is the best way of ensuring resilience at a personnel level.
Leveraging technology
While it is true that technology is the medium through which many of these evolving cyber crimes are being channelled, it is also through the employment of technology that businesses have the best chance of preventing and defending against attacks.
Managed detection and response (MDR) services utilise third-party support from specialist cyber security providers. This can help to enhance security, especially if the business does not have the manpower or resources to keep it in-house.
Businesses can also utilise cloud resilience and backup strategies, with robust storage and recovery mechanisms in place to deal with any events.
A really cyber resilient business is one that has strong measures in place but one that is also continuously assessing, adapting and strengthening where possible. As the threats evolve, so does the response.
In order to be able to measure this evolving response and adaptability, it is necessary for businesses to establish clear metrics and conduct regular testing. They should also always be measuring their efforts against external frameworks, such as those provided by regulatory mandates. Without this structured approach to measuring resilience, businesses risk being caught off guard by emerging threats and new approaches. Hackers are smart and getting smarter and businesses need to try and be one step ahead.
Key performance indicators (KPIs) are a very useful tool to help measure the effectiveness of cyber defence strategies. They provide a quantifiable way of assessing how well a business is doing in the way it detects, responds to and recovers from a cyber threat or attack.
One of the most crucial KPIs is Mean Time to Detect (MTTD), which measures how fast a business can identify a threat. A 2023 report by IBM found that the average global time taken to detect a data breach was 204 days. The UK average was 181 days.
Another important KPI is Mean Time to Respond (MTTR) which tracks how fast a business can contain a threat once eliminated. The IBM report found the global average was 74 days. The average cost of a data breach in the UK was £3.4 million.
These are the baseline metrics against which a business can measure its response but there are other ways of ensuring its defences are strong.
Regular audits and testing
Regular audits and security testing allow businesses to proactively identify vulnerabilities and address them before they can be exploited.
Penetration testing is a strategy where ethical hackers simulate cyberattacks to expose weaknesses. A 2023 NCSC study found that 64% of businesses using penetration testing prevented cyber incidents before they caused harm. Vulnerability assessments are another type of digital audit testing utilised by businesses in the UK. A 2022 UK government report revealed that 38% of businesses had unpatched vulnerabilities, leaving them exposed to attacks. Discovering these before the criminals do is a great way of staying protected.
Beyond just the technical testing available, cyber resilience audits can help to evaluate policies, boost employee awareness and improve incident response readiness. A 2023 DCMS survey found that only 17% of UK businesses had fully documented incident response plans, showing a widespread lack of preparedness. Businesses in the UK can, and must, do better.
Cyber resilience ensures that businesses remain operational during and after cyber incidents, aiming to reduce any financial losses and maintain brand reputation in the face of difficult operations. There are some very good reasons why.
Cost-benefit analysis
It’s true that investing in cyber resilience measures may require upfront costs which can be difficult for some businesses. However, the long-term savings generally outweigh potential financial damages. The IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024 found that the average cost of a data breach in the UK reached £3.4 million, which would be far more than implementing all of the measures outlined above.
Investor stakeholder confidence
Resilient businesses are usually more attractive to investors and partners. That’s because they are seeking stability and security in their engagements, and any business that can demonstrate a commitment to protecting its data, operations, and infrastructure is seen as more appealing.
These days, cyber resilience is far more than just an IT matter. It has become a fundamental part of business strategy and one that should run through every department of any organisation with a digital presence. As cyber threats continue to evolve, UK businesses must take the proactive steps necessary to enhance their resilience.
By focusing on leadership engagement, leveraging advanced technologies and fostering a culture of cyber awareness at every level, businesses can safeguard their operations, reputation and long term prosperity.
Discover more about how to make businesses more resilient against the threats and realities of cybercrime at Toraguard, one of the UK’s leading cyber security specialists:
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Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated, leveraging advanced tactics to breach corporate networks. As a result, traditional perimeter-based security models are no longer sufficient.
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