As we enter the last quarter of the year, Roy Shelton, CEO of managed services provider Connectus Group has warned that business leaders needs to be increasingly vigilant to rising threats.
Mr Shelton said: “Hostile actors thrive on a lack of vigilance. Dropping your guard in the run-up to the end of the year could be a very costly mistake. Cybercriminals exploit any weakness — and without proper defences, even a minor oversight can lead to a major breach. Implementing protective cybersecurity measures is like plugging a leaky dam — every hole must be sealed.”
To help SME businesses safeguard against rising threats, Roy has shared six essential cybersecurity tips. These combine practical steps and expert-led services to build a robust and resilient security posture:
1. Start with a Cyber Audit
Begin by understanding your digital landscape. A thorough cyber audit highlights vulnerabilities, identifies compliance gaps, and guides your next steps. Connectus provides full-spectrum audits and support for Cyber Essentials and IASME Governance — aligning closely with ISO 27001 standards.
2. Deploy a Fully Managed Cybersecurity Service
Rather than relying on patchwork tools, invest in a 24/7 managed solution like Connectus Protect. This covers proactive monitoring, real-time threat detection, incident response, outbreak control, and quarantine measures — all designed to keep your business operational and secure.
3. Run Vulnerability Scanning & Penetration Testing
Ethical hacking simulates attacks before criminals get the chance. Regular testing reveals hidden flaws and strengthens your systems, helping you close gaps before they’re exploited.
4. Engage Virtual DPO and CISO Services
Many SMEs can’t afford full-time senior security staff. Virtual Data Protection Officers (DPOs) and Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) provide expert oversight, ensuring compliance and strategic risk management without the hefty salary.
5. Use Ongoing Threat Intelligence & Reporting
Cyber threats are evolving rapidly — malware, ransomware, and IoT-based attacks are increasing year on year. A good managed service provides continuous threat intelligence, outbreak alerts, and actionable reporting to keep you informed and prepared.
6. Invest in Cybersecurity Training & Awareness
Human error remains a top cause of data breaches. Equip your team with cyber awareness training and pursue relevant accreditations. When your people are informed, they become your first line of defence — not your weakest link.
With attacks becoming more sophisticated and frequent, delaying action can be disastrous. Cybersecurity is not just an IT issue — it’s a critical business priority.
For more information and free advice, visit www.connectus.org.uk.
Here Roy shares six essential tips to protect SME businesses from cyber threats which combine practical measures and professional services to build robust security solutions..
Start with a thorough cyber audit – understand the scope of your vulnerabilities and compliance needs. Connectus offers comprehensive cyber audits and supports accreditation with Cyber Essentials and IASME Governance (which aligns with ISO 27001 standards).
Deploy an all-round cyber-managed service – why not try Connectus Protect, rather than piecemeal solutions, and opt for a 24/7 managed cybersecurity service. This includes proactive monitoring, software defences, incident response, outbreak control, and quarantine measures to swiftly contain threats.
Conduct vulnerability scanning and penetration testing – test your systems with ethical hacking exercises to identify weaknesses before attackers find them.
Engage a virtual DPO and CISO – not all SMEs can afford full-time security leadership.
Leverage ongoing threat intelligence and reporting – malware is up, IoT threats have surged, and ransomware attempts are in the hundreds of millions annually. A managed service that includes real-time threat insights, outbreak reporting, and response planning can make all the difference in staying ahead.
Build cyber knowledge with awareness training and accreditation – elevate your team from weakest link to strong defence.
For more information free advice visit www.connectus.org.uk
