DPS Tech News

02 Mar 2025

Are your employees your security’s weakest link?

Let me ask you something: Do you lock your front door when you leave the house? 

Of course you do.

But what if you get home and find that someone left a window open? You may as well have left the door unlocked, right? 

Now think about your business. 

You’ve probably invested in good cyber security to protect it, using strong passwords, firewalls, and the latest software updates. But if your employees accidentally leave the “windows” open, all that security goes to waste. 

It’s not about blame – it’s about awareness. The truth is that your employees might be your biggest security risk, without them even realising it. 

More people are working remotely, and research shows that four out of five employees use their personal phones, tablets, or laptops for work. It makes sense. Why not use the devices they already own?

Here’s the problem: Your employees’ personal devices probably aren’t set up with the same security measures you’duse in the office. Their phones and laptops might use weak passwords, outdated software, or even be connected to unprotected Wi-Fi networks. All of this is a dream scenario for hackers.  

And here’s where it gets scary… 

Two out of five employees admit to downloading customer data onto their own devices. That’s sensitive data leaving the safety of your business, now at risk of falling into the wrong hands. 

If that’s not enough to worry you, here’s another shocker: More than 65% of employees admit they only follow cyber security rules “sometimes” or even “never”. This includes forwarding work emails to their personal accounts, using their phones as Wi-Fi hotspots, or ignoring guidelines about handling data when using AI tools. 

Passwords are another issue, with nearly half of employees using the same passwords across different work accounts. Even worse, over a third of employees use the same passwords for both their work AND personal accounts.

Imagine a hacker getting into your employee’s social media account and using the same password to get into your business systems? It’s a disaster waiting to happen. 

So, what can you do?

The key is education.  

Start by helping your team understand why cyber security is so important. Most people don’t break the rules on purpose –they just don’t realise the risks. Explain that those little habits that seem harmless (like reusing passwords or doing work on public Wi-Fi) can cause serious damage.

Create security rules that are clear, simple, and easy to follow. For example, you can tell your team to:  

• Use a password manager to create a strong, random and unique password for each of their work accounts
• Only access work systems on secure, approved devices
• Never forward work emails to their personal accounts

Also, make sure your employees are getting regular training sessions to keep cyber security at the front of their minds, and don’t forget to celebrate good habits. If someone flags a suspicious email or comes up with a clever way to keep sensitive data safe, be sure to let everyone else on your team know.

Cyber security is everyone’s responsibility. 

By giving your employees the right tools and training, you can turn them into your first line of defence instead of your weakest link.  

If you’d like help keeping your team up to date on the latest security threats, get in touch. 

23 Feb 2025

The two big threats of doing business on public Wi-Fi

 
Public Wi-Fi is everywhere these days – cafés, airports, hotels, trains. It’s super convenient, especially for business travellers or anyone working remotely. 
 
But what if I told you that hopping on that free Wi-Fi could expose your business data to cyber criminals? That’s the reality of using unsecured public networks. 
 
When you connect to public Wi-Fi, you’re opening the door to scammers who know exactly how to exploit these networks. The two biggest threats you need to know about are called Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks and Evil Twin attacks. 
 
Yes, they sound like something out of a spy movie… but they’re very real and can have serious consequences for your business.  
 
Let’s start with Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks. You’re sitting in a café, sending an email or logging in to your business bank account. You think your device is communicating directly with the Wi-Fi network, but in reality, a cyber criminal has inserted themself between you and the network.  
 
This “man in the middle” can see everything you’re doing – your passwords, your emails, even your credit card details. And the worst part? You probably won’t even notice it’s happening.  
 
Criminals use this stolen information in all sorts of ways. They might sell it to advertisers, use it to impersonate you in phishing scams (where they trick people into sharing sensitive information, like passwords or credit card details). Or even steal money from your accounts. For businesses, this could mean sensitive financial information or customer data ending up in the wrong hands.  
 
Now let’s talk about Evil Twin attacks. Imagine you’re in an airport and see two Wi-Fi networks: One called “Airport Free Wi-Fi” and another called “Airport Wi-Fi Secure”. They both sound legit, but one of them could be a fake network set up by cyber criminals.  
  
When you connect to the fake network, scammers can monitor everything you do online, just like in a MITM attack – but they can go even further. They can steal your cookies (little bits of data that websites use to remember you) and gain access to things like your login details or personal information.  
 
In some cases, they can even install malware (malicious software) on your device without you clicking a single thing. Scary, right? All it takes is connecting to the wrong Wi-Fi network, then your data – and your business’s security – could be compromised.  
 
Using public Wi-Fi doesn’t have to be a security nightmare, but you do need to be cautious. Here are some steps you can take to help keep your business protected:  
 
·       Avoid accessing sensitive information while connected to public Wi-Fi. This includes anything involving passwords, personal data, or financial accounts. If you wouldn’t want a stranger looking over your shoulder, it’s best to save it for when you’re on a secure network.  
 
·       Stick to websites that use HTTPS, which encrypts your data. You’ll know a site is secure if you see a padlock icon in the address bar or "https://" at the beginning of the web address. Most websites use this today.
 
·       Consider using trusted browser extensions designed to boost your online safety. Many can block cookies, ads, and even malicious websites, reducing the risk of your information being exposed.
 
·       Turn off auto-join on your business devices. This stops your work phone, tablet, or laptop from automatically connecting to any available network, including potentially dangerous ones.  
 
·       Be wary of suspicious pop-ups. Scammers often use these to trick you into clicking something malicious. If a pop-up feels wrong, don’t interact with it – just close the window.  
 
·       Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your business accounts whenever possible. This requires a second form of identification (like a code sent to your phone) to log you in, which makes it harder for anyone to break in even if they get hold of your password.  
 
·       Finally, keep your software up to date. Updates often include security patches that protect your device from the latest threats. Ignoring them could leave your business devices vulnerable.  
 
A little caution goes a long way when it comes to keeping your business protected online. Ask yourself: Is the convenience of free Wi-Fi worth the risk of exposing my data? 
 
If you’d like help keeping your business data protected no matter where you are, get in touch.
17 Feb 2025

FOMO is driving businesses to spend more on IT

 
Ever feel like you’re racing to keep up with all the new tech out there? You’re not the only one. Businesses are spending more on software than ever before… and it’s in no small part due to “FOMO” – fear of missing out. 
 
In fact, a recent report shows that 76% of businesses are bumping up their software budgets for next year, with many planning to increase their spend by 5 to 15%.  
 
Why?  
 
It’s simple: No business owner wants to feel like they’re falling behind while their competitors are jumping on the next big thing. So, businesses are investing in tools that they think will make them better, faster, and more secure. 
 
Artificial intelligence (AI) is at the top of the list when it comes to the tech businesses want to invest in. This is because AI is making it easier to get stuff done; whether that’s automating routine tasks, crunching numbers, or even improving customer service.   
 
But on the flip side, AI is also putting new tricks up the sleeves of cyber criminals. Meaning that businesses are having to spend more on cyber security to keep their data safe. 
 
The hardest part about buying software isn’t usually the actual purchase – it’s what comes after. Using new software takes planning, and everyone in the team needs to learn how to use it. If your team isn’t ready, even the best software won’t help you much. 
 
This is why many businesses are also investing in training tools, such as learning management systems (LMS). This helps bring employees up to speed, so your new tech doesn’t just sit there collecting virtual dust. 
 
It can be tempting to be one of the first to adopt all the latest tools. But moving too fast can lead to headaches. It takes time to figure out what software is right for your business and how to make it fit into your processes. Jumping in without a clear plan could leave you with a tool that’s more trouble than it’s worth.  
 
The good news is that many businesses are getting smarter about how they choose software, using reviews, testimonials, and recommendations from experts (like us) to make informed decisions.
 
If you’re feeling the pressure to invest in new tools, take a breath. Think about what your business really needs:
 
·       Do you want to improve efficiency?
·       Keep your business data secure?
·       Help your team work better?
 
Whatever the reason, make sure you choose tools that are in line with your goals and that your team is ready to use.
 
FOMO might be driving the trend, but that doesn’t mean you have to let it control your decisions. 
 
We can help make sure the tech you invest in pays off for your business in the long run. Get in touch.
 
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