How to Achieve Cyber Resilience

As cyber threats grow increasingly sophisticated, prevention is no longer enough. According to the Microsoft Digital Defence Report, ransomware incidents are rising, with 90 per cent of successful attacks involving unmanaged devices. The question is no longer if an organisation will face an attack but when. This underscores the critical importance of cyber resilience—a strategy focused on ensuring rapid recovery when systems fail.

A recent survey by Absolute Security found that 64 per cent of respondents believe the UK lacks a strong cyber resilience strategy, particularly in defining clear response policies to recover from breaches. This absence leaves organisations vulnerable to prolonged downtime and financial loss, highlighting the urgent need for a unified national approach to resilience.

The Need for Cyber Resilience

The surge in ransomware, sophisticated exploitation of software vulnerabilities, and the shift to hybrid work environments have exposed the limitations of traditional cybersecurity. Modern threat actors employ tactics, such as using trusted IT tools for malicious purposes, making prevention alone increasingly difficult.

Vulnerabilities in applications and operating systems have tripled as an initial access vector, according to the Verizon DBIR 2023 report. Hybrid work has also expanded the attack surface, with 73 per cent of organisations identifying remote devices as their greatest weakness in cyber resilience.

In fact, the Absolute Security Resilience Index reports that Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP) and network access security applications fail to comply with security policies 24 per cent of the time.

These gaps leave endpoints exposed to costly disruptions, ransomware, and other threats. To address these growing challenges, organisations must transition from traditional cybersecurity measures to comprehensive resilience strategies designed to withstand and recover from attacks.

Why Businesses Should Invest in Cyber Resilience Platforms

Cyber resilience is more than just a defence strategy—it’s a business imperative. The financial and reputational consequences of cyber incidents are immense, with the average data breach in 2024 costing $4.88 million, according to IBM. Investing in a robust cyber resilience platform helps mitigate these risks, ensuring minimal downtime and maintaining business continuity.

Organisations that adopt resilience platforms gain a significant competitive advantage by protecting their assets, maintaining operational continuity, and building customer trust. These platforms enable proactive measures, such as automated

vulnerability management, real-time monitoring, and endpoint visibility, ensuring businesses remain agile in responding to threats.

Resilience platforms also support hybrid work environments by addressing the unique challenges posed by remote devices and distributed teams. By integrating secure access solutions, automated repair tools for endpoints, and risk-based vulnerability management, businesses can effectively protect their systems while optimising performance.

Key Elements of a Cyber Resilience Platform

A strong cyber resilience platform combines several critical components to protect organisations from disruptions and ensure swift recovery. Endpoint resilience is crucial to maintaining secure, visible, and compliant devices, particularly through remote and automated repair tools that minimise downtime. Additionally, application resilience focuses on automated, risk-based vulnerability and patch management, which reduces exposure to threats and improves compliance across systems.

Equally important is secure network access, which ensures optimised connectivity for users while protecting against unauthorised access. Beyond technology, proactive measures such as regular audits of security postures and employee training are essential. These audits help identify vulnerabilities, ensure systems remain up-to-date, and address compliance gaps, while training equips employees with the knowledge to act as a critical first line of defence against potential threats.

The Path Forward

In an era where cyberattacks are inevitable, resilience must take centre stage. Preparing security teams to detect and recover quickly minimises damage and downtime. Regular audits strengthen their capabilities, equipping them with the tools needed to respond effectively.

A comprehensive cyber resilience platform integrates endpoint protection, application resilience, and secure access into a unified framework. This approach ensures that even in the face of advanced threats, critical systems remain operational and recoverable.

Organisations that prioritise resilience not only safeguard their assets but also gain a competitive edge. In a world of ever-evolving cyber threats, resilience is the foundation for sustaining operations, maintaining customer trust, and securing long-term success.

By investing in resilience platforms today, businesses can confidently navigate tomorrow’s digital challenges. Cyber resilience is not just about protecting data; it’s about protecting reputations, maintaining customer confidence, and ensuring the long-term health of your organisation.