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Cyber Essentials Certification: Building Trust In Healthcare

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The healthcare sector is built on trust: GP surgeries, dental practices and hospitals handle highly sensitive personal information and sometimes also the financial details of their patients. However, the sector is now highly digitalised, and unfortunately is also subject to frequent cyber security threats. 

Therefore, it’s crucial that healthcare IT systems are backed by rigorous cybersecurity, and are set up to handle sensitive data responsibly and within regulatory requirements. Here’s a look at the role Cyber Essentials certification can play in this process. 

What is Cyber Essentials?

Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed scheme designed to help organisations guard against common online threats. It provides a clear framework for protecting IT systems and demonstrates to patients, regulators, and partners that you take cybersecurity seriously.

For healthcare providers, it’s much more than a tick-box exercise: it’s a practical, recognised standard that shows your commitment to safeguarding patient records.

Why Cyber Essentials matters in healthcare

Healthcare organisations are prime targets for cybercriminals. Patient records fetch high prices on the dark web, and ransomware attacks such as the 2024 Synnovis attack or the 2017 Wannacry attack on the NHS can paralyse clinics and hospitals, delaying care and even putting lives at risk. Indeed, the Synnovis attack contributed to a patient’s death. 

By achieving Cyber Essentials, your practice can:

  • Strengthen security – Ensure firewalls, antivirus tools, and system updates are in place to block common threats.
  • Protect patient data – Demonstrate compliance with GDPR and NHS data security requirements.
  • Reduce downtime – Minimise the risk of costly IT disruptions that affect patient care.
  • Reassure patients – Build trust by proving you have independently verified safeguards in place.

In fact, many NHS contracts and suppliers now expect Cyber Essentials certification as standard, and some insurance providers require it, making it a vital step for today’s healthcare providers.

The five key controls behind certification

Cyber Essentials focuses on five fundamental areas of IT security:

  • Firewalls and internet gateways – Protecting networks from unauthorised access.
  • Secure configuration – Ensuring systems are set up safely, not left with default passwords or unnecessary services.
  • User access control – Making sure staff only have the level of access they need.
  • Malware protection – Deploying antivirus, Sophos firewalls, and endpoint security tools to detect and block threats.
  • Patch management – Keeping devices, software, and systems updated against known vulnerabilities.

For a healthcare provider, these controls address the most common points of weakness, such as outdated PCs, poorly managed mobile devices, or shared logins across staff.

How certification builds patient trust

Patients generally don’t pay much attention to IT until something goes wrong. A data breach, however, can cause lasting reputational damage, legal consequences, and a breakdown of confidence in your practice.

By displaying your Cyber Essentials certification, you send a clear message: we take your privacy and security seriously. It becomes a tangible way to demonstrate compliance, professionalism, and care beyond the consultation room.

The role of your IT partner

While Cyber Essentials is achievable for organisations of all sizes, the process is smoother with the right IT support partner. A managed service provider (MSP) specialising in healthcare can:

  • Carry out a gap analysis to see where your systems fall short.
  • Implement or upgrade security solutions such as Sophos firewalls, mobile device management, and secure backups.
  • Guide your staff through best practice training to avoid common pitfalls like phishing.
  • Support your practice through the certification process and annual renewals.

By working with an MSP, you not only achieve certification but also put in place ongoing monitoring and support, ensuring security doesn’t stop at a tick-box exercise.

Taking control of your IT environment

Cyber threats are growing more sophisticated every year. For healthcare providers, Cyber Essentials is a practical and recognised way to build resilience while showing patients that their trust is well placed. 

If your IT security is not all it might be, speak to an IT support provider with experience in healthcare who can build a strong, tested and trusted system for both staff and patients.

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What Is Phishing And Why Does It Affect Healthcare Organisations?

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You might have heard the term “phishing” in relation to cyber security attacks, but do you understand what it means and why it’s important to be vigilant for such attacks? We’re going to explain what phishing is and why it’s so dangerous. We’ll also look at why healthcare organisations in the UK need to be alert to it.

What is phishing?

As the name suggests, phishing is actually not dissimilar from the act of fishing. Essentially, scammers are trying to “fish” for your information – or your business’ information. 

They do this by sending fake emails or text messages and in some cases even making phone calls to try and trick you into visiting a website or clicking on a link that will allow them to access your data. 

If you suspect that you have received a phishing email, text message or phone call, it’s essential that you report it to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). This will ensure that the phishing attempt is investigated and that any scam websites are taken down as quickly as possible. 

What can happen if you are a victim of phishing?

Often, phishing attacks are a gateway to other cyber crimes, like ransomware attacks or account takeovers. In some cases, the scammers use phishing to gather personal information or bank details which they then use to commit fraud. 

For businesses or other organisations that hold sensitive information, a phishing attack can allow scammers to get hold of customer or client data. This can be disastrous for your reputation, not to mention cause problems for your customers or users. 

There are a lot of different ways in which phishing attacks can present in your emails or messages, so you need to be vigilant both with your personal accounts and any business or work-related accounts. 

How can you spot a phishing scam?

There are a number of signs you can look out for in communications that might indicate they are phishing scams. Among the most common are messages that create a false sense of urgency and poor spelling or grammar in the email or text message. 

If there is a link in any email you receive, make sure it is from a trusted sender before you click on it. These links can often download the likes of ransomware onto your machine, giving criminals access to the data saved there. The same applies to emails with attachments. Make sure you really trust the sender before downloading or opening them. 

Top tips include making sure you verify the sender of any email you receive. So, do you know the organisation the email has supposedly come from? Were you expecting to receive any communication from them? Can you check the domain name the email comes from to ensure it matches that of the business that’s sending it?

Also keep an eye out for misspellings in links or email addresses, such as where an “O” has been replaced with a “0”. This is a subtle difference, but is a surefire sign that the email address isn’t an official one.

Why is this particularly relevant for healthcare organisations?

A new phishing scam has recently been identified which involves scammers pretending to be from the Home Office to target organisations that are UK sponsor licence holders and who have access to the UK’s Sponsor Management System (SMS). 

Given that almost 20 per cent of the UK’s healthcare workforce come from overseas, it’s highly likely that many healthcare organisations are UK sponsor licence holders. This phishing campaign is designed to steal SMS log in details. 

It does so by directing people to a fake log in page – one that looks very convincing. This means it’s essential that you take extra care if you or a member of your team receives an email claiming to be from the Home Office about SMS. In particular, people are being asked to log into their accounts to ensure uninterrupted access to the system after an upgrade. 

Once the scammers have your SMS log in details, they can either use this to extort your organisation, or to carry out other scams. These include making fake job offers to those seeking work in the UK and asking them for tens of thousands in fees to issue a visa (which never materialises).

The Home Office website regularly updates its information about the scams that are related to the operations of this branch of government. 

If it’s been a while since you last ran cyber security training with your team, it could be worth having a refresher. Don’t forget that your IT support provider will also be able to provide advice and carry out a range of testing to protect you and your organisation from cyber crime.

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How To Stay GDPR-Compliant With Healthcare Cloud Systems

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Advances in data and technology are helping the healthcare sector to work more efficiently and improve services and treatment. Digital transformation results in more accurate recordkeeping and better communication between healthcare professionals and patients. This ultimately means faster diagnosis and higher quality treatment than ever before.

Many of these new services and innovations are cloud-based, which introduces efficiencies but also brings some fresh challenges. Healthcare providers can’t simply open a cloud subscription and start uploading files: quite rightly, the handling of patient data is regulated by stringent compliance requirements.

If the data is lost, accessed by an unauthorised party, or otherwise mishandled, the consequences can be severe: hefty fines, legal action, reputational damage, and harm to patient trust. This is why GDPR compliance with strong IT support is a non-negotiable requirement when using any cloud solution in healthcare.

Why GDPR matters in healthcare cloud use

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) sets the rules for how personal data is collected, stored, processed, and shared. In the UK, GDPR is enshrined in law alongside the Data Protection Act 2018, and healthcare organisations must adhere to it when handling patient information.

GDPR is particularly strict when it comes to special category data, which includes health records, medical histories, and any data revealing a person’s physical or mental health. The rules demand higher levels of security, transparency, and accountability.

When using cloud solutions, healthcare providers remain the data controller, even if they outsource storage or processing to a cloud vendor. That means the legal responsibility for GDPR compliance never leaves the healthcare organisation, even if a third-party service makes a mistake.

Key risks of non-compliance

Failing to follow GDPR when using cloud solutions can result in:

  • Fines of up to £17.5 million or 4% of annual turnover  — whichever is higher.
  • Loss of patient trust and reputational damage.
  • Legal claims from patients whose data was mishandled.
  • Operational disruption if systems are taken offline during an investigation.

Given the serious nature of these risks, cloud adoption in healthcare must be approached with a compliance-first mindset.

Best practices for GDPR-compliant cloud adoption

Choose the right cloud provider

Not all cloud platforms are created equal. When handling healthcare data, it’s essential to work with vendors who can demonstrate GDPR compliance and provide evidence of robust security measures. Look for providers with:

  • UK or EU-based data centres.
  • ISO 27001 certification (information security management).
  • Transparent data processing agreements.

Microsoft 365, for example, offers GDPR-aligned data protection features and UK-based storage options, making it a popular choice for healthcare organisations.

Use strong access controls

GDPR requires that only authorised personnel can access patient data. In the cloud, this means:

  • Multi-Factor Authentication for all accounts.
  • Role-based access so staff only see the data they need.
  • Immediate revocation of access when an employee leaves.

A Managed Service Provider (MSP) can set up and monitor these controls to ensure they remain airtight.

Encrypt data in transit and at rest

Encryption scrambles data so it’s unreadable without the right key. Under GDPR, encryption is a key safeguard, particularly for sensitive health information. Ensure your cloud provider:

  • Encrypts data while it’s stored (“at rest”).
  • Encrypts data when it’s sent over the internet (“in transit”).
  • Uses industry-standard encryption methods.

Maintain clear data processing agreements

GDPR demands that data controllers (i.e. healthcare providers) have a written Data Processing Agreement (DPA) with each cloud vendor they use. This should set out:

  • How the data will be used.
  • Where it will be stored.
  • What security measures are in place.
  • How breaches will be reported.

Without a solid DPA, you could be held liable for your provider’s mistakes.

Regularly audit and monitor cloud systems

GDPR compliance isn’t a one-time task: it’s ongoing. Regular audits will:

  • Identify unauthorised access attempts.
  • Check that access permissions are still valid.
  • Verify that security settings haven’t been weakened.

Tools like Sophos Cloud Security can provide continuous monitoring and automated alerts.

Have a breach response plan

If a data breach does occur, GDPR requires you to report it to the Information Commissioner’s Office within 72 hours. A good breach plan should:

  • Define clear roles and responsibilities.
  • Include communication templates for staff and patients.
  • Outline immediate containment and investigation steps.

The role of a managed service provider 

Partnering with a healthcare-aware MSP can remove much of the stress around GDPR compliance. They can configure and deploy the most effective software, conduct security audits, and provide timely and well-informed support. 

This proactive approach keeps your cloud environment secure, compliant, and running smoothly.

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What Are The Top Cyber Threats Facing UK Businesses In 2025?

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Cybersecurity has never been more important. As technology continues to evolve, so do the threats facing businesses of all sizes. In 2025, UK companies are operating in a digital environment that’s faster and more connected, but also more vulnerable, than ever before.

From ransomware to insider threats, today’s risks demand proactive strategies: it is no longer enough to rely on security patches and semi-regular system health checks. Here are the top ten cyber threats UK businesses are likely to face in 2025  —  and how you can protect your organisation from them.

Ransomware attacks are becoming smarter

Ransomware remains one of the biggest cybersecurity challenges. Attackers are now using AI to tailor their attacks, often targeting specific industries or company sizes. Once a system is infected, files are encrypted and the business is held to ransom.

Stay protected: Regularly back up critical data and store backups offsite. Implement robust endpoint protection and use email filtering to prevent malicious attachments.

Phishing scams are evolving

Phishing attacks  —  fake emails or websites that trick users into sharing passwords or financial data  —  are more convincing than ever. AI-generated messages are harder to detect, and even experienced employees can fall victim.

Stay protected: Train your team regularly on how to spot suspicious emails. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) across all systems to reduce the risk if credentials are compromised.

Cloud misconfigurations

As more businesses move to the cloud, misconfigured servers and storage buckets are becoming prime targets. These errors can leave sensitive data publicly accessible.

Stay protected: Work with IT professionals to ensure cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud are correctly set up and monitored.

Supply chain attacks

Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting software vendors and IT providers as a way to infiltrate their customers’ networks. A breach in one supplier could lead to vulnerabilities across hundreds of businesses.

Stay protected: Vet third-party vendors carefully. Ask about their security measures and look for certifications like ISO 27001 or Cyber Essentials. Regularly update and patch all software used in your business.

Insider threats

Not all threats come from the outside. Disgruntled employees, or those who are simply careless, can cause data breaches or system outages.

Stay protected: Use access control to ensure employees only see the data they need. Monitor activity across your network and conduct exit audits when staff leave the company.

Deepfake and social engineering attacks

With the rise of AI, fake video and audio messages (known as deepfakes) are becoming tools for cybercriminals. For example, a CEO’s voice might be cloned to request a money transfer.

Stay protected: Establish internal verification procedures for high-value transactions. Never act on a request based solely on voice or email  —  always double-check with another channel.

Internet of Things (IoT) vulnerabilities

Connected devices such as smart locks, printers, or HVAC systems can become weak entry points into your network if not properly secured.

Stay protected: Change default passwords, update firmware regularly, and isolate IoT devices on separate networks where possible.

Business email compromise (BEC)

This type of attack involves hackers gaining access to (or impersonating) a business email account and then sending fraudulent messages to customers, suppliers, or staff.

Stay protected: Use domain-based message authentication such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. Monitor outbound emails for unusual activity and educate staff on BEC tactics.

Lack of security patching

Hackers actively scan for systems running outdated software, from operating systems to apps and plugins. Even a single missed update can be exploited.

Stay protected: Keep a strict patching schedule. Use automated tools where possible, and ensure all devices are included, from servers and laptops to smartphones.

Overstretched or undertrained IT staff

With the fast pace of cyber threats, many internal IT teams are stretched thin. This can lead to overlooked vulnerabilities, slow response times, and general gaps in protection.

Stay protected: Consider partnering with a managed business IT support service who can deliver 24/7 monitoring, incident response, and ongoing strategy, giving your business the expertise it needs without the full-time costs.

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5 Warning Signs Weak Passwords Could Ruin Your Business

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The NCSC reports that there were an estimated 19,000 ransomware attacks on UK businesses in 2024, with a typical ransom demand of around £4m. More worrying still, it’s thought that about a third of companies pay the ransom for the return of the stolen data, although the data isn’t always fully returned even after payment. 

The attacks can sometimes have devastating consequences. For example, BBC News reports that just one weak password was all it took to bring down a 158 year old company and put 700 employees out of work. 

KNP, a Northamptonshire transport company, identified an employee’s easily guessable password as the weak link that allowed hackers to gain entry to the computer system and encrypt all of its internal data. The firm, which runs about 500 lorries, was unable to continue operating. 

The ransom note read: “If you’re reading this it means the internal infrastructure of your company is fully or partially dead…Let’s keep all the tears and resentment to ourselves and try to build a constructive dialogue.” A specialist ransomware negotiation company estimated that the sum could be £5m, which the company could not find. 

The company said that its IT systems complied with the industry standards, but this wasn’t enough to prevent the attack. This is a wake up call for all businesses who might think that their IT is up to scratch, because just one single weak password could be all it takes to let in the hackers. 

Here are five warning signs your business might be at risk, and what you can do to fix them. 

You are still relying on passwords alone

If your employees use only usernames and passwords to access company systems with no additional layers of security, the risk of a ransomware attack will be much higher. Hackers hone in on single-factor authentication to steal passwords through techniques such as phishing, credential stuffing, or specific dark web password hacking tools. 

To reduce your vulnerability, implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) or Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) across all critical systems. Even if a password is compromised, the additional authentication step can stop attackers in their tracks.

Weak password policies

Employees who are free to choose their own passwords will generally use short and easy to remember words or sequences of numbers. They also reuse their passwords across multiple systems outside of your organisation, increasing your risk if a breach occurs elsewhere. 

To guard against this, enforce strict password policies that involve a complex mix of upper/lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Require password changes every 60–90 days, and use a password manager so staff don’t have to remember multiple strong passwords.

Patchy cybersecurity training

Human error is one of the biggest cybersecurity risks. If your employees aren’t trained to detect suspicious activity such as phishing emails that trick users into revealing credentials, then you’re gambling with your company’s security.

Offer quarterly cybersecurity awareness training, and include real-life examples of phishing attempts, tips for spotting fake emails, and guidance on what to do if they suspect a threat. To really raise your game, run regular phishing simulations to test employee readiness.

Not monitoring for unusual logins or behaviour

If there’s no system in place to detect if someone logs in at 3am from another country, this could let a stealthy attacker in to wreak havoc before you even notice. If you’re not monitoring system activity, you may not even notice until it’s too late.

Use a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tool or partner with a Managed IT Service Provider who can monitor access attempts, unusual login times, and geographical anomalies in real time. Early detection is key to stopping breaches before they escalate.

No breach response plan

If you don’t have a clear, tested plan for responding to a password breach or ransomware attack, the consequences could be catastrophic. Create a documented Incident Response Plan that includes:

  • Who to notify
  • What steps to take
  • How to isolate compromised systems
  • Who’s responsible for what

Test the plan regularly so your team knows exactly what to do under pressure.

The collapse of a historic company, as well as the recent attacks on major retailers such as M&S, show that the need to be proactive about your cybersecurity is greater than ever. At Bee IT solutions, we provide tailored cyber security support services across a wide range of sectors, from education and healthcare to construction, accounting and much more.

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The Importance Of Professional Ransomware Response Plans

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According to recent data, almost 75 per cent of UK companies have experienced some form of ransomware attack in the past few years. 

Therefore, even with the most stringent cybersecurity measures, it’s prudent to plan for the inevitable. Here’s a look at what these plans should include, and how our West Yorkshire IT solutions service can help. 

The corrosive cost of ransomware

Ransomware attacks are surging in both volume and complexity, and unfortunately in over half of all cases, it results in a company paying a ransom. However, this does not guarantee that all or even some of the stolen data will be recovered. 

The consequences of a ransomware attack, particularly for sectors such as healthcare or financial services, can be devastating. The downtime and data loss are only part of the picture: the legal, financial and reputational costs can be almost impossible to recover from.  

That’s why a clear and detailed ransom response plan is non-negotiable. 

What is a ransomware response plan?

A ransomware response plan is an actionable and documented protocol for identifying, containing and recovering from a ransomware attack. The aims are to help the business or organisation:

  • Respond quickly and minimise downtime
  • Preserve and protect evidence
  • Communicate with staff, clients, and regulators
  • Recover data and resume operations
  • Avoid costly missteps like paying ransoms without guarantees

This provides a clear structured plan and avoids hasty decisions that are driven by panic or fear, rather than logical and well thought out processes. It also saves time and working at cross-purposes, because every member of staff will know what is expected of them and what the chain of command is.

Key elements of a ransomware plan

Across sectors from law to retail or construction, the core components of the plan should include the following:

Early detection and alerts

The faster a ransomware attack is detected, the better the chances of it being contained and limiting the damage. If you have a business that handles sensitive data, it’s strongly recommended to invest in 24/7 monitoring and AI-driven threat detection tools such as Sophos Intercept X, which are designed to catch ransomware in the very earliest stages.

Rapid containment

As soon as an attack is detected, the next step should be to isolate infected devices as quickly as possible. This means that all shared drives should be disabled and all compromised systems disconnected. 

Clear communication protocols

Cyberattacks can cause confusion and panic, particularly if regular methods of communication are disrupted. IT teams and leaders should be notified in the first instance, and a clear chain of command should be established as to who notifies who about what. 

Avoid spreading misinformation and make sure that everyone understands what they should say without causing undue alarm or revealing sensitive information. Relevant parties who may need to be informed  besides staff include vendors, stakeholders, clients, and regulators. 

Data recovery strategy

Establish secure data backup services with off-site storage so that recovery can take place rapidly and reduce downtime and data loss. The back up system should be tested regularly: without this step, recovery will be much slower, if it is even possible at all. 

Forensic analysis

An investigation should be carried out to identify the source of the attack and to ensure that it can’t happen again. This forensic investigation should be carried out by a cyber security specialist for best results.

Legal and compliance 

The plan should include a coordinated response to data protection regulations such as GDPR and NHS DSPT for healthcare. For example, it will be necessary to report the data breaches within a certain timescale. 

The advantages of professional IT support

Smaller businesses and organisations might be tempted to rely on a single-person IT team or basic versions of antivirus software. However, this is not enough to combat today’s sophisticated and rapidly changing cyber attacks. 

A managed service provider can provide you with a customised incident response plan, and advanced ransomware software protection.

How To Upgrade Your IT Experience Without A Total Overhaul

How To Upgrade Your IT Experience Without A Total Overhaul

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Sluggish IT systems, frequent downtime or clunky operating processes can frustrate staff and impact morale and productivity. However, if your main focus is on building your business and growing profits, the prospect of ripping everything out and starting again can be overwhelming. 

Here’s a look at how our West Yorkshire IT solutions service can help you make the refurbishments you need without a costly and time-consuming complete overhaul.

Why it’s probably not necessary to start over

If your IT systems are truly ancient, often down, and no longer support major security updates, then it probably is time to rip it up and start again: you will be exposing your business to devastating cyberattacks, and will also struggle to keep up with your competitors. 

However, most of the time, an inefficient IT system can be streamlined and supported to help it run more smoothly without completely rebuilding it. A managed IT service provider (MSP) can help you to uncover the issues that are holding your team back. Here’s how. 

Identify the bottlenecks

The MSP technicians will start by carrying out a system audit, and also observe how your staff work on a day to day basis and listen to their tech complaints. This may bring up a range of issues that aren’t obvious to non-IT experts, such as:

  • Inconsistent network connectivity
  • Software that doesn’t talk to other tools
  • Poorly configured user access and permissions
  • Lack of training or onboarding for new systems 

Optimise system performance

Once the sources of friction have been identified, the next step is to improve system performance. This might include adjustments such as:

  • Server and cloud configuration tweaks for improving speed and security.
  • Better device management:  Ensuring laptops, desktops, and mobile devices are up to date, secure, and standardised.
  • Software integrations: Connecting your systems so data flows properly between apps, saving duplication and errors.
  • User access streamlining: Making sure staff only see what they need to, and can access it easily.

Provide proactive support

At Bee IT Solutions, your staff will have access to a team of experienced professionals ready to help on our 24/7 helpdesk, with ad hoc help available whenever you need it. If the issue can not be resolved remotely, we’ll arrange a site visit at the earliest opportunity. 

This means that your staff won’t become demoralised waiting for days for a problem to be fixed, and it will save valuable time and reduce the impact on your business productivity. Proactive monitoring also means that problems are spotted and fixed before they can escalate into serious IT headaches. 

Effective staff training

Sometimes, the problem lies not with the IT system, but with the way that it’s being used. Our technicians have a wide knowledge base of sector-specific software, from everything from lift maintenance engineers to opticians. They will be able to explain to staff how to get the best out of your IT systems without jargon and tech speak. 

This will help to iron out problems such as underused or misused apps and tools, and also help to ensure that safety and compliance protocols are being followed. 

Planning ahead

IT is evolving at a rapid pace as new technologies, as well as new cybersecurity threats, continually emerge. Our MSP team will help you plan when to phase out outdated software, when to upgrade key systems and what software might benefit your business in the coming year. 

This can help you to focus on growing your business while your tech works hard for you in the background. If you’d like some more information, please get in touch with our team today for a free consultation.

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How A Managed Service Provider Can Support In-House IT Teams

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The digital landscape is evolving faster than ever, with new cloud technologies, the growing threat of cyber attacks and strict compliance regulations. This can mean that in-house IT teams for small to medium businesses are stretched to the limit with multiple demands and the need for constant software updates. 

Here’s a look at how working with our West Yorkshire IT solutions company can support overwhelmed IT teams, avoiding the need to hire and train new staff. 

What are the common challenges faced by in-house teams?

Small to medium sized businesses usually have a small IT team, or even just rely on a single staff member who juggles the role with other duties. However, the growth of the company often places more demands on technology, while the IT team remains the same size. This can lead to issues such as:

Lack of specialist knowledge: As the business grows, it may acquire sector-specific software, migrate to cloud based systems, or require more stringent cyber security measures. This can mean that issues or tasks might arise that are outside the core skills of the IT team. 

Too much time spent on routine tasks: An expanding business acquires more tech devices and staff, and this can mean the IT team is basically operating as a help desk, resetting passwords and fixing dodgy printers or sorting out connectivity issues.

Not enough time for forward planning: Modern IT infrastructure requires regular assessment to check if any upgrades are necessary, fix glitches that could lead to downtime, and look for vulnerabilities that could open the door to hackers. Small IT teams that are constantly fighting a backlog of work may not be able to strategically plan for the future.

No sickness or holiday cover: If the IT team consists of just one or two staff, the business operations could be at risk if the IT system goes down when there is not enough cover for sickness and holidays. Juggling constant demands can also lead to high staff turnover or long-term sick leave, potentially leaving the business in the lurch. 

How an managed service provider can help

A managed service provider (MSP) can work with in-house teams to fill in the gaps and offer specialist advice and skills. Here are some examples of how we can help:

Advanced cybersecurity 

We can proactively manage and monitor your firewalls to detect any issues before they escalate, roll out comprehensive endpoint protection, and carry out regular patching to ensure that no critical security updates are missed. 

Managing standalone projects

Small IT teams don’t always have the time or expertise to research, plan and implement projects such as telecoms upgrades, cloud migrations, or hardware or server upgrades. We can work with you to deliver the project to an agreed budget and timescale. 

Compliance and certification 

We can support your business to become Cyber Essentials certified, which is a government backed scheme to help protect your data against the most common cyber threats. It can also help your business to become more trusted by customers, partners and investors, and increase market competitiveness. 

Helpdesk and holiday cover

We can also support you with routine helpdesk enquiries, and cover for in-house staff absence, so you won’t be battling with unscheduled downtime and building up work backlogs for when the staff return to work. 

So, there you have it: by working with an MSP, you can take the pressure off the in-house staff and allow them to focus on building a long-term IT strategy for your business. You’ll also have the peace of mind of better cyber security and cover on-hand when you are short staffed. 

The level of support we offer is scalable, so you can ask for more help if you need it, such as when you want to roll out new software. It’s a cost effective solution for SMEs with small in-house teams, and rapidly growing businesses who are managing remote or hybrid working, or rely on round-the-clock IT uptime. 

Strong and streamlined IT systems are the backbone of modern businesses, so if your IT team is stretched thin, we are here to help. 

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Why Do So Many Healthcare Organisations Run Legacy Systems?

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As a leading managed service provider offering IT support for hospices and healthcare organisations, we often find ourselves working with legacy systems. As digital workloads expand and the threat of cyber attacks grows stronger every day, this is obviously a worrying situation. Here’s a look at why this is the case, and what the risks are. 

Why is the healthcare sector dependent on legacy systems?

Despite the clear cybersecurity risks, there are several reasons why outdated systems persist in the healthcare industry:

Medical equipment dependency

The healthcare industry has a lot of ageing medical equipment, such as MRI scanners, patient monitors and blood analysers that rely on software that’s no longer supported. Replacing or upgrading these machines is often not a priority due to budget and time restraints, especially if they still function reliably. 

The need for uninterrupted care

Downtime is particularly challenging for the healthcare sector, because managing the disruption when services are required round the clock, and may have unpredictable peaks in demand, is obviously difficult.  Hospitals, hospices and clinics are patient-first environments, so IT upgrades are not high on the list of priorities. 

Budget constraints

The NHS is battling with overstretched budgets and rising demand, and financial resources tend to be directed at frontline care. Investment in IT systems tends to occur reactively after a major incident or security breach. 

That said, in June, the government announced as part of its Spending Review that it will be investing up to £10bn in NHS technology and digital transformation, “to bring our analogue health system into the digital age”. It will also include the launch of an NHS app to enable patients to manage their prescriptions, access services and more.

Furthermore, the investment will also be used to deliver “a single patient record, giving patients a unified view of their medical history and enabling two-way communication and active management of their healthcare”. Hopefully the investment will also address issues such as obsolete software and security vulnerabilities. 

Underresourced IT teams

Despite the fact that technology now underpins the modern healthcare service, IT teams are often understaffed and underresourced. This means that they often operate at a firefighting level, and routine but essential tasks such as security patching and risk management assessments are continually sidelined.

Furthermore, the NHS is a huge organisation, and there is considerable fragmentation of IT systems between different departments, specialisms and institutions. This means that IT teams often can’t work easily and securely across multiple sites, and clinical staff have to resort to analogue methods of transferring essential patient information. 

What are the dangers of legacy systems?

Running legacy systems doesn’t just mean putting up with sluggishness and inefficiencies: it leaves IT infrastructure dangerously exposed.

Unpatched vulnerabilities

Older software that no longer supports security updates are increasingly open to cyberattacks. Healthcare organisations are frequently targeted by cybercriminals, because of the huge amounts of sensitive information they hold. They are also viewed as more likely to pay ransom demands because of the intense pressure to keep systems running. 

For example, the 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack exploited a flaw in unpatched versions of Windows. It cost the NHS about £100m and led to thousands of cancelled appointments. 

Even if legacy systems are routinely patched, most cannot support the latest and most advanced security tools that are designed to offer full endpoint protection and proactively monitor for threats. 

Weak access control and encryption

Many older systems rely on passwords for login, which is becoming an increasingly outdated protection. Obsolete software typically cannot support multi-factor authentication or other modern methods of access control, leaving them more vulnerable to security breaches.  

Furthermore, it may not support current encryption protocols, leaving patient data or confidential communications vulnerable to hackers. 

How healthcare organisations can manage IT risks

Legacy systems compromise patient safety and can even put lives at risk. Security breaches damage reputation and patient trust, and also pose legal and financial risks if GDPR is breached. It is unrealistic that all legacy systems can be replaced overnight, or even within 12 months. However, there are sensible precautions that can be taken.

These include planning for Windows 10 end of life on 14 October 2025, when Microsoft will stop providing technical support or issuing security updates. Audits should be carried out to identify the most vulnerable systems and isolate them from wider networks. Systems that can’t be upgraded should be strictly access controlled for essential staff use only. 

Leeds based cyber security services

Moving Past Passwords: Effective Authentication Methods

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One of the key pieces of cyber security advice organisations still issue to their staff is to use a strong password and change it regularly. However, as cyber threats continue to evolve in sophistication and scale on a daily basis, traditional password based authentication systems are increasingly seen as the weakest link in cyber security. 

Cyber criminals exploit weaknesses such as the reuse of passwords across multiple accounts and systems; and using passwords that are obvious and easy to guess, such as 12345 or even just “password.” In fact, research shows that reusing passwords is responsible for over 80 per cent of online data breaches. 

Here’s a look at how our Leeds based cyber security services can help you identify the most effective modern authentication methods for your business.

Why is it important to start moving away from passwords?

Passwords are not just a security risk: they are a hindrance to users who need to devise and remember several passwords of suitable complexity across a range of accounts. Inevitably, staff passwords frequently get forgotten and require frequent resets, which is a burden for IT teams who have to spend hours dealing with basic admin rather than core tasks. 

For businesses who require customers to login with a password, they can lead to abandoned online shopping carts as incorrect password details are entered. Rather than wait for a reset or create a new account, many customers will simply look elsewhere for the product. 

Despite the drawbacks, password use remains widespread as it is cheap, straightforward and easy to carry out. However, they are a leading cause of data breaches as they can easily be stolen or guessed. Most people have reused a password or used a very simple one at some point for convenience, as we tend to have multiple accounts and devices. 

However, as the drawbacks and security risks of using passwords continue to grow, it’s time for businesses and organisations to move away from heavy reliance on them. 

Alternative authentication models

Here are some account set up options to offer for a more secure, modern and up to date approach to authentication. 

Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-factor authentication (MFA), sometimes also referred to as two-step verification (2SV) or two-factor authentication (2FA) requires more than one authentication method. 

For example, it might involve combining a password with a PIN code sent securely by SMS or email, a link to another trusted device such as a mobile phone, or biometric details such as facial recognition or a fingerprint. 

MFA is much more secure than using a password alone. It’s also widely supported by software, apps and devices, and reasonably cost-effective to implement. It is important for businesses to offer customers a range of authentication options, as they will have different preferences and technologies.

However, MFA can be a deterrent if it is required for every single use. Therefore, it is most suitable for higher risk activities, such as adding credit or debit card details to an account, making transfers or purchases with large sums of money, or changing key details of the account, such as name or address. 

Single sign-on variants (SSO) are more suitable for widespread use in organisations and for customer-focused sites, as they just require MFA to be used on set up. 

Biometric Authentication

Biometric authentication requires the use of data such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or iris scanning to verify identity. This is highly accurate and difficult to imitate, and is also a quick and easy to use method. However, it does require the storage of the user’s biometric data, which may raise privacy concerns.  It’s also dependent on compatible hardware. 

FIDO2/WebAuthn 

FIDO2 is a hardware-based authentication to create a passwordless standard that uses public-key cryptography with physical tokens or built-in platform authenticators (like Windows Hello or Face ID). It is often used if security is a critical issue, or the account users are particularly security conscious.

 

It means that no passwords are stored or transmitted for strong phishing resistance. This authentication method suits medium to large enterprises or data centre environments prioritising zero trust security. However, it might deter users who are not tech savvy or don’t own a smartphone. 

Risk-Based or Adaptive Authentication

This emerging method of authentication uses machine learning to assess login behaviour (e.g., time, device, location) and trigger additional verification only when behaviour seems risky. It’s convenient and quick, but may not yet be widely supported. 

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