As the financial year draws to a close, it’s the ideal time for organisations to conduct thorough cybersecurity and compliance checks. A proactive review not only helps meet regulatory obligations but also reduces cyber risks and builds a solid foundation for the year ahead. Below are key areas to prioritise in your end-of-year assessment.
Review Security Policies and Compliance Documentation
Regulations such as the UK GDPR require organisations to maintain current and accurate records of their data protection measures. As part of your compliance checks, review internal policies, incident response plans, and access control frameworks to ensure they align with the latest legal requirements and cyber threat trends.
Conduct an Access Control Audit
Access control is a vital component of any compliance check. Audit who currently has access to sensitive systems and data, and remove unnecessary permissions. Applying the principle of least privilege helps prevent insider threats and limits the impact of potential breaches.
Assess Security Vulnerabilities
Cybercriminals are constantly evolving their tactics. Identify vulnerabilities by performing regular scans, penetration testing, and technical audits. Ensure your firewall configurations are up to date and all systems are patched. These steps are essential to maintaining a secure and compliant IT environment.
Evaluate Employee Awareness and Training
Human error continues to be a major factor in security incidents. As part of your compliance checks, evaluate the effectiveness of your organisation’s cybersecurity awareness training. Focus on key areas such as phishing, password security, and social engineering. Ongoing education and regular simulations can significantly reduce employee-related risks.
Update Incident Response and Business Continuity Plans
A well-tested incident response plan is crucial for both security and compliance. Review your current strategy, and conduct a simulated cyber attack or tabletop exercise to assess your organisation’s preparedness. Identifying and addressing gaps now ensures a faster, more effective response if a real incident occurs.
Prepare for the Financial Year Ahead
Conducting detailed cybersecurity and compliance checks at the end of the financial year helps reduce risk, strengthen resilience, and ensure regulatory readiness. A proactive approach today will safeguard your organisation against emerging threats tomorrow.
Recent findings from the Ponemon Institute’s 2024 Cybersecurity Threat and Risk Management Report highlight the increasing complexity of data protection compliance. The report reveals that 61% of organisations experienced a data breach or cybersecurity incident in the past two years, with 55% facing more than four such incidents. Additionally, only 46% of organisations have an enterprise-wide Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan (CSIRP) that is applied consistently, and merely 50% of these plans are deemed effective. These statistics underscore the critical need for comprehensive compliance checks and robust cybersecurity measures. You can explore the full report here.
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Take the next step in securing your organisation. Contact us today or request a free cybersecurity training demo to ensure your security and compliance measures are fully up to date for the year ahead.
