What is Cyber Security?

Cyber security is about protecting the digital things we rely on every day like our computers, phones, and online accounts, from being hacked or attacked. It’s all about keeping your information safe and making sure things work as they should.

Think of it like locking your house to keep burglars out, but instead of locks, we use tools like passwords, firewalls, and antivirus software. Cyber security helps stop criminals, scammers, or even rogue nations from stealing your money, data, or personal information.

Recently, the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) warned that we might be underestimating how big this problem really is. In fact, the head of the NCSC said there’s a growing gap between the threats we face online and how prepared we are to stop them. That’s pretty worrying when you think about how much we rely on technology for everything: work, healthcare, shopping, and even socialising.

One example of this growing risk is a ransomware attack that recently targeted healthcare systems in London. Ransomware is a type of malicious software (or malware) that locks computer systems or encrypts data, making it inaccessible until a ransom is paid to the attackers. In this case, the cyber attack hit Synnovis, a company providing lab services for hospitals across London.

The attack caused significant disruptions to healthcare operations, delaying test results and other critical services. Thousands of patients were affected, and hospitals had to find alternative ways to manage their workloads or delay treatments. Imagine being a patient waiting for essential test results or treatment, only to be told that a cyber attack had caused a delay. That’s how serious the impact was.

This example highlights how cyber attacks are no longer just a problem for businesses or IT systems; they can affect real people’s lives, sometimes in very serious ways. When healthcare systems are compromised, it’s not just about financial losses, it’s about the wellbeing and safety of patients who rely on those systems. This is why robust cyber security measures are essential, not just in business but in sectors like healthcare, where the stakes are incredibly high.

Testing your cyber security is essential because it helps identify weaknesses before attackers can exploit them. Just like you wouldn’t wait for a fire to check if your smoke alarm works, businesses and organisations shouldn’t wait for a cyber attack to test their defences. Regular testing through methods like vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, or full scale Red Team exercises can uncover gaps in security, ensure systems are up to date, and prepare teams to respond effectively in case of an incident. By proactively testing, you’re not just protecting your data; you’re safeguarding your reputation, customer trust, and in some cases, even lives, as seen in sectors like healthcare.

The good news? We can all take steps to be safer online. Using strong, unique passwords, keeping software up to date, and being careful about what we click on are small things that make a big difference.

Cyber security isn’t just about protecting big companies or governments, it’s about keeping all of us safe in our digital world. And as threats continue to grow, it’s more important than ever to take it seriously.