The Importance of a Robust Cyber Posture: Lessons from 2024’s Major Cyberattacks
Approximately 90% ok UK companies use a cloud service of one shape or another. 2024 has already seen significant cyberattacks on major organisations, highlighting vulnerabilities and underscoring the necessity for strong cyber defences.
In this blog I explore the importance of maintaining a robust cyber posture by examining recent high-profile cyberattacks and providing practical steps to bolster cybersecurity.
The Current Cyber Threat Landscape
Cyberattacks have become more sophisticated and frequent, targeting businesses across various sectors. Key incidents in 2024 demonstrate the diverse methods and severe impacts of these attacks:
1. UnitedHealth Group Attack:
Details: UnitedHealth Group faced a massive ransomware attack affecting its subsidiary, Change Healthcare, disrupting health payment processing across the US. The attack was orchestrated by the ALPHV/BlackCat ransomware group.
Impact: The financial toll is estimated to reach $1.6 billion, including a $22 million ransom payment.
2. UK Ministry of Defence Payroll Hack:
Details: The payroll system of the UK armed forces was compromised, exposing the personal data of nearly 270,000 current and former staff.
Impact: Sensitive information such as identities, bank details, and national insurance numbers were exposed, with suspicions pointing towards Chinese hackers .
3. NHS Scotland Ransomware Attack:
Details: The Inc Ransomware Group attacked NHS Scotland, leaking sensitive healthcare data, including children’s mental health information.
Impact: The breach released vast amounts of patient and staff data, causing significant concern and operational disruption .
4. Cencora Data Breach:
Details: Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen) experienced a data breach that potentially exposed sensitive personal information.
Impact: The company is still assessing the extent of the damage and working with cybersecurity experts to contain the breach .
5. Trello Data Leak:
Details: A hacker exploited Trello’s public API, accessing 15 million accounts and exposing sensitive information.
Impact: This incident highlighted the importance of securing APIs to prevent unauthorised data access .
Why a Robust Cyber Posture is Essential
The recent cyberattacks illustrate the critical need for organisations to adopt a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. Now the use cases I have elaborated on above are large organisations and therefore present themselves as a target to hackers. They are also a mix of private and public bodies so the hackers may have different motivations for the attacks. The point I need to make although high profile it is not just large enterprise organisations that are targeted. Many smaller organisations are also and in some cases can lead to them ceasing trading.
So why do I need a strong cyber posture lets look back over those use cases:
1. Protection of Sensitive Data:
Example: The UK Ministry of Defence hack exposed personal details of military personnel, underscoring the risk of identity theft and financial fraud .
Solution: Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) and encrypting sensitive data can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches.
2. Business Continuity:
Example: The UnitedHealth Group attack disrupted healthcare payment processing, affecting operations across the US .
Solution: Developing and regularly updating an incident response plan ensures businesses can quickly recover from cyber incidents.
3. Reputation Management:
Example: The NHS Scotland ransomware attack exposed sensitive patient data, potentially damaging trust in the healthcare system .
Solution: Maintaining transparency and having a robust public relations strategy can help manage reputational damage post-attack.
4. Regulatory Compliance:
Example: The Cencora data breach may lead to regulatory scrutiny and potential fines .
Solution: Adhering to industry standards and regulations, such as GDPR and HIPAA, can help avoid legal penalties.
Steps to Enhance Cybersecurity
So what steps can we take to strengthen our cybersecurity posture:
Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):
Prevent unauthorised access by requiring multiple forms of verification.
Conduct Regular Security Audits:
Identify and address vulnerabilities through routine assessments. That are delivered as part of the solution by the team.
Invest in Employee Training:
Educate staff on recognising and responding to phishing and other social engineering attacks. Carry out internal phishing exercise to measure how staff react before and after training.
Deploy Advanced Threat Detection Systems:
Use AI and machine learning to detect and mitigate threats in real-time. Ensure your boundary is protected.
Develop a Comprehensive Incident Response Plan:
Prepare for potential breaches with a well-defined action plan to minimise impact.
Conclusion
The wave of cyberattacks in 2024 has shown that no organisation is immune, regardless of size or sector. While high-profile incidents often make headlines, smaller organisations face the same threats — often with fewer resources to respond. A robust cyber posture is no longer optional. It is essential for protecting sensitive data, maintaining operational continuity, and demonstrating regulatory compliance.
Security must be embedded across people, processes and technology. From incident response planning to third-party oversight, every layer of the organisation has a role to play in reducing risk.
If you're reviewing your cyber security strategy, the following resources may also be helpful:
To discuss how Defended Solutions can support your organisation in strengthening its cyber resilience, contact us or email info@defendedsolutions.com.
