Findings from our research show industry sectors need to improve their cyber security strategies

Today we are publishing the findings from our recent cyber security research. The report is based on an analysis of the cyber security landscape across various industries, leveraging insights from a leading Cyber Security Assessment Tool (CSAT). By evaluating 43 businesses across sectors such as Accounting, Professional Services and Health Care, we aimed to identify common vulnerabilities and trends to help enhance cyber security strategies.


KEY FINDINGS

Cyber Posture Ratings: Despite reported industry benchmarks, businesses scored an average cyber posture rating of 64 out of 100, falling short by 22 points on average. Only 9.3% of businesses met or exceeded these benchmarks, highlighting widespread vulnerabilities.

Financial Impacts: Potential financial losses from cyber incidents were significant, with figures ranging from £6,000 to £1.889 million. Sectors like Accounting and Legal Services faced higher average possible financial losses, correlating with lower cyber posture ratings.

Dark Web Exposure: Compromised credentials were discovered for 72% of businesses, totalling 3,846 credentials on the dark web. This underscores the pervasive nature of cyber threats and the importance of proactive security measures.

Exposed Vulnerabilities: All businesses tested had publicly exposed vulnerable assets, with an average of 35 vulnerabilities per organisation. Sectors like the Automotive industry showed higher vulnerability counts, necessitating immediate corrective actions.

Top Risk Categories: Identified vulnerabilities fell into eight primary risk categories, including Application Security, TLS protocols, and Web Server configurations. Addressing these areas is critical to reducing exposure to cyber threats.


CONCLUSIONS

The findings underscore a critical need for businesses across various sectors to strengthen their cyber security postures. With the majority falling short of industry benchmarks and facing substantial potential financial losses, proactive measures are essential. Recommendations include implementing robust cyber security strategies tailored to address specific vulnerabilities identified through tools like the CSAT.

In conclusion, while this report provides valuable insights and benchmarks, each organisation must conduct its own comprehensive assessment to tailor strategies and mitigate specific risks effectively. By doing so, businesses can bolster their defences against evolving cyber threats and safeguard their digital assets and operations.


TALK TO US

Businesses that are concerned about their defences against today’s cyber threat landscape are invited to contact NVT Group.

In the first instance, we can complete a scan of your network using the Cyber Security Assessment Tool, the findings from which were used to form the basis of our report.

Should you wish to undergo a deeper analysis of your cyber security posture, our expert security teams at NVT Group can also complete a cyber security evaluation, which benchmarks your business against known weaknesses and provides an actionable report of recommendations.


DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT

You can download the full report by visiting our security awareness page here.