The digital threat landscape is constantly evolving.
Developments in AI have brought a whole host of new attack methods, exemplified in over half of UK businesses facing cyberbreaches across 2024. Alarmingly, of the cyber incidents facing the UK last year, 89 were nationally significant, including 12 critical incidents, tripling the number since 2023. Yet, as it stands, companies remain unprepared; with the National Cyber Security Centre underlining that the risk facing the UK is currently “widely underestimated”.
As cyber-breaches grow, investing in technical security systems alone is no longer enough. While enterprise-grade solutions remain important, companies must also look to human intervention as an essential first line of response. Often the first to encounter cyber-attacks, prioritising security awareness training and fostering a culture of vigilance amongst employees is critical to detecting and deflecting criminal breaches.
To drive these priorities forward and elevate the importance of human-first security, the role of the chief information security officer (CISO) must also evolve. The onus now falls on them to educate company leaders and align priorities, to ensure human-centric security is integrated at all levels of the business.
Evolving cyber threats
Today’s landscape is becoming ever-more complex, with the rise of AI threatening increasingly sophisticated social engineering attacks. AI-powered threats can learn and adapt to existing barriers, whilst advanced phishing campaigns can target individuals and exploit human psychology. What’s more, the reliance on remote work and cloud technologies creates new vulnerabilities for cyber opportunists to target.
These evolving tactics, coupled with the expanding attack surface, are contributing to the alarming success rate of cybercriminals. Furthermore, AI is lowering the entry barrier both for malware attacks and social engineering methods via phishing and deepfake technology.
Interconnected systems now mean a single incident can have cascading effects. With just one breach threatening detrimental financial and reputational damage to the entire business, implementing security measures throughout the organisation is imperative, as is instilling a cohesive attitude to their company-wide integration.
A human-first response
Employees are often the first to encounter phishing emails, suspicious links, or other potential threats. Fostering a security-conscious culture is paramount to ensuring these are detected and blocked, protecting all entryways to cyber criminals.
Research has found 74% of CISOs saw human error as the top cybersecurity risk. Yet, according to recent findings, one in five organisations have never provided cybersecurity training in the UK, whilst globally 40% of employees have never had cyber security training. Where businesses have training in place, this is often outdated and infrequent.
As threats evolve, awareness training must move beyond simple practical skills to exposing employees to simulated real-world cyber breach scenarios, preparing them to remain calm in difficult situations. Given the rapid progression of AI technologies, training must also be increasingly regular, keeping employees on top of evolving criminal tactics. And fostering a culture that prioritises security empowers employees to report suspicious activity without fear of reprisal.
As AI escalates the sophistication of both security systems and cyber threats, human oversight will be integral to ensuring AI tools function effectively. Robust and well-integrated monitoring procedures are key to controlling the behaviour of the AI-enabled security systems in place, and crucial to detecting any compromises to these systems. Human governance of these systems is vital, particularly with the sophisticated abilities of AI to develop deceptive behaviours.
With more than a quarter of UK companies set to outsource their security operations, businesses must also recognise the importance of internal human-led security strategies. By honing and harnessing talent through advanced training procedures, businesses remain better prepared to deflect threats.
Educating the board
According to recent NCSC guidance, the majority of Board members do not have a thorough understanding of the threat landscape and mitigating cyber security procedures in place. Yet, for cybersecurity to become a business-wide imperative, this demands leadership from the top.
The role of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is essential to driving cyber-awareness at all levels of the company. No longer solely focused on technical expertise, the CISO must become a leader in human-centric security, educating the Board on the importance of employee awareness to mounting threats.
Board members themselves must become actively involved in shaping the company’s cybersecurity strategy, understanding the risks, allocating appropriate resources, and ensuring that cybersecurity is integrated into overall business strategy and risk assessments. This includes fostering a culture of shared responsibility for security across the entire organisation, from the boardroom to the front lines.
Fostering this security-first culture will ensure effective investment in necessary technologies and into employee capabilities. Appreciating the necessity of such practices and improving general awareness will reduce frustrations felt by the security department, helping businesses to retain invaluable talent.
Strengthening enterprise protection
To build an effective security system, businesses must understand their attack surface from both a human and technological standpoint, and keep on top of evolving attack methods, identifying blind spots ahead of time.
Building a strong digital defence requires a multi-layered approach. This includes implementing robust security architecture with zero trust principles, deploying advanced threat detection and response systems capable of identifying anomalous behaviour.
AI can also be harnessed to enhance cybersecurity, automating analysis of vast amounts of data and neutralising threats in real-time. The automation of such tasks frees up security personnel to focus on more strategic initiatives. Furthermore, integrating threat intelligence platforms allows organisations to proactively identify and mitigate emerging threats.
Ultimately, achieving true cyber resilience requires a balanced approach that combines robust technological defences with a strong human-centric security culture. By investing in both people and technology, and by adopting a proactive and adaptive security posture across the business, organisations can effectively navigate the complexities of the modern threat landscape and mitigate the growing risks of cyberattacks.
It starts from the top, and the CISO must work to align mindsets across the board, positioning security at the heart of the organisation.