Insights
Insights
With more than a quarter of UK businesses hit by cyber-attacks last year and big brands such as M&S, Adidas and the Co-Op among recent, high-profile victims, it’s clear there’s been an escalation in this type of crime – and it’s having a significant impact.
“These aren’t isolated incidents,” says Tim Walker, Managing Director at Aura Technology.
“The sheer scale and sophistication of recent attacks show cyber security can no longer sit quietly in the IT department. It must be addressed at board level and approached as a shared responsibility for all staff. To prevent similar fallout, we must examine what went wrong and learn from it.”
Technology alone isn’t enough. Many attacks, including those on M&S and Adidas, were facilitated by human factors. Employee education and security culture are core components of any cyber strategy.
“As a leader, you have to champion a culture where everyone is responsible for security, not just the IT team,” Tim says.
“That cultural shift is what transforms a company from being reactive to being truly resilient. We work with organisations to deliver awareness programmes, phishing simulations and strategies that embed cyber security into everyday operations.”
Next comes infrastructure. One of the most common issues Aura’s experts uncover is outdated technology. Many organisations still operate on unsupported legacy systems such as Windows 7, which are easy targets.
“Older systems can’t keep up,” Tim explains. “The recent M&S attack reportedly involved multi-factor authentication manipulation and executive impersonation. Social engineering and AI-powered tools now bypass traditional defences with alarming ease.”
Crucially, the risk doesn’t stop at your own systems. In the M&S case, attackers may have gained access through a third party.
“The unknown gaps in your wider digital ecosystem are often the biggest threats,” Tim adds. “We help organisations assess and secure their third-party environments before vulnerabilities are exploited.”
Recent breaches have also shown that even well-prepared organisations must think beyond prevention. Having a detailed, tested continuity plan is essential.
“Cyber insurance might help keep your organisation moving, but it won’t protect your reputation or restore customer trust,” says Tim. “Robust defences and clear protocols are your first line of defence, but you need a continuity plan ready for the worst-case scenario.”
Organisations that respond strategically – updating their infrastructure, securing third-party connections and building a culture of security from the top down – will be best positioned for long-term success.
“Leaders need to prepare and protect in an unpredictable digital world,” Tim concludes. “Readiness and confidence will give organisations a competitive strength at a time when the threat has never been greater.”
Aura Technology works with organisations of all types to identify vulnerabilities, secure their digital ecosystems and build robust continuity plans.
With more than 100 specialists and decades of experience, the team provides strategic, partnership-led support to reduce risk, respond effectively to incidents and strengthen long-term resilience.