Cyber security remains one of the most significant risks facing UK organisations and that message came through clearly at the recent Business Focused Cyber Event attended by companies across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We joined regional leaders and security specialists to hear the latest insight on how businesses are being targeted and crucially, what can be done to reduce the impact.

Speakers highlighted the rising number of cyber incidents reported every year, with phishing still the most common entry point for attackers. Billions of phishing emails are sent daily which means even well-protected organisations are likely to be tested sooner or later. The advice was to keep defences simple but effective. Use strong passphrases, enable two-step verification and ensure incidents are reported rather than ignored.

The event also demonstrated the very real disruption caused by recent high profile attacks across the UK. From online services shutting down to major operational delays it is clear that cybercrime can affect organisations of any size. Many businesses still lack formal response plans or regular cyber training which leaves gaps that attackers can exploit.

Practical guidance was offered throughout the day including insights from policing teams and cyber resilience experts from South East Cyber Resilience Centre. The message was consistent: early action makes a difference. Stronger authentication, better staff awareness and timely reporting all help reduce the likelihood and severity of an attack.

For us it was a valuable opportunity to reflect on current threats and reinforce the steps every organisation can take to build resilience. Cyber security is no longer a specialist concern. It is part of everyday business practice and events like this help ensure it stays firmly on the agenda.