Top 10 cyber security threats

Cyber security threats are everywhere these days, and they’re a growing concern for businesses of all shapes and sizes. Whether it’s a phishing scam, a ransomware attack, or something even more sophisticated, these threats can lead to financial loss, data breaches, and severe reputational damage. No one is immune — attackers always look for new ways to find and exploit vulnerabilities.

Understanding the most significant threats is the first step if you want to protect your businesses (and yourself). You can significantly lower the risk of becoming a target when you stay informed and take proactive measures. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the top 10 cyber security threats you need to know about — and how you can defend against them.

What are cyber security threats, and why do they happen?

When we talk about cyber security threats, we’re referring to any attempt to gain unauthorised access to data, disrupt operations, or exploit weaknesses in a system. These attacks can target individuals, businesses, and even governments, often causing financial loss, stolen data, and major downtime.

But why do cyber threats exist in the first place? In most cases, it’s all about money; cyber criminals steal sensitive information to sell or hold it for ransom. Some seek trade secrets or sensitive business information, while others simply want to disrupt for political, ideological, or personal reasons.

Common attack methods include:

1. Phishing emails that trick us into giving away passwords, linking to realistic websites that lead to giving away sensitive information.
2. Exploiting out-of-date software.
3. Taking advantage of simple human errors, such as using weak passwords.

As cyber criminals continue to evolve their tactics, you have to stay one step ahead.

The scale of the problem is huge. In 2024 alone, there were 7.78 million cybercrime incidents reported across the UK, and around half of businesses said they’d suffered a cyber attack or data breach. With this in mind, keeping up with evolving threats is absolutely essential.

Top 10 common cyber security threats

A cyber attack is far more than a temporary disruption — it can inflict serious financial damage, tarnish your brand’s reputation, trigger compliance violations, and bring your operations to a standstill. Even a single breach has the potential to cause catastrophic consequences.

But here’s the good news: by understanding the most common threats and how they operate, you can build stronger, more resilient defences that protect your business from harm.

Here are the top 10 cyber security threats every business owner should be aware of, along with practical steps you can take to stay secure.

1. Phishing attacks and social engineering

Social engineering is the manipulation of individuals to share confidential information or grant system access. It often includes impersonating a trusted figure or creating a believable fake scenario.

Phishing is the most common type of social engineering. It typically involves sending fake emails, texts, or messages that look like they’re from a legitimate source, tricking people into clicking malicious links or sharing sensitive information. Studies show that phishing attacks are responsible for 90% of all cyber attacks in 2024. That’s a huge number.

How businesses can protect against phishing and social engineering:

• Roll out company-wide awareness training so everyone knows how to spot potential phishing attempts.
• Use email filtering to block suspicious messages from unknown sources before they land in any inboxes.
• Set up verification procedures for any sensitive requests.
• Limit access to sensitive data – only give people the access they actually need.

2. Ransomware

Ransomware is malicious software that locks businesses out of their systems or encrypts files until you pay a ransom. Attackers often spread ransomware through phishing emails, websites you might visit that are unsafe, or by using software on your systems that hasn’t been updated. Remember, even if you pay, you might not get your files back, and it could lead to more attacks.

How businesses can protect against ransomware:

• Back up critical data regularly and store copies separately.
• Keep all software up to date with security patches.
• Use anti-malware and endpoint protection tools.
• Make sure everyone knows not to open suspicious links or attachments.

3. Supply chain attacks

Cyber criminals often look for the easiest way in, and sometimes that’s through weak spots in the systems of companies you work with to get into your own network. Businesses often don’t pay enough attention to how secure their partners are, creating an easy way for attackers to access your data.

How businesses can secure their supply chain:

• Carry out cyber security risk assessments on all suppliers.
• Set clear security standards and include them in contracts.
• Monitor suppliers’ security practices.
• Give suppliers access only to the systems and data they truly need.

4. Misconfigurations

Misconfigured settings can accidentally expose sensitive information to cyber criminals, whether in the cloud, apps, or networks. Even simple oversights like weak permissions or default settings can create big vulnerabilities.

How businesses can prevent misconfigurations:

• Conduct regular security audits to spot and fix configuration errors.
• Use least-privilege access controls.
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all important systems.
• Continuously monitor and update security settings.

5. Zero-day vulnerabilities

Zero-day vulnerabilities are security holes that software companies don’t know about yet, which means attackers can use them before a fix is available. These holes can stay hidden for months, giving cyber criminals a long time to get into your systems.

How businesses can defend against zero-day attacks:

• Turn on automatic updates for all software, operating systems, and firmware.
• Use threat intelligence tools to detect suspicious activity early.
• Use security tools that watch how your systems normally act and can spot when something unusual happens, which could be a zero-day attack.

6. Stretched budgets and lack of resources

When money is tight, it’s understandable that cyber security budgets may be limited. But reduced investment in protection can unintentionally leave your business more vulnerable to cyber threats as you become an easier target for cyber criminals.

Without proper investment, you might end up with outdated software, missing security patches, a lack of staff training, or no clear response plan if an attack happens. All of these gaps create easy opportunities for cyber criminals to slip in and cause serious damage.

How businesses can strengthen security on a budget:

• Focus first on the essentials, like strong endpoint protection and employee training.
• Use established cyber security frameworks like the NIST Cyber Security Framework or ISO 27001 to guide you. Following ISO 27001 helps you prioritise risks, set up clear security processes, and make the most of the resources you have.
• If resources are limited, think about outsourcing to a managed service provider.

7. Insider threats and human error

Your own employees can be one of the most significant risks, whether intentionally malicious or simply careless. In fact, studies suggest that human error contributed to 95% of data breaches in 2024. Even seemingly insignificant factors, like a team member under pressure or a basic error, can lead to significant security breaches.

For instance, in a notable case, an NHS practice inadvertently exposed the email addresses of over 800 patients who had attended HIV clinics. This occurred when an employee sent out a group email but mistakenly entered all recipients in the “To” field instead of using “BCC,” which revealed sensitive information to all recipients.

How businesses can mitigate insider threats:

• Restrict access to sensitive data and monitor system activity.
• Provide clear, regular training on data handling best practices.
• Have a solid plan in place for responding to insider-related incidents.

8. Legacy systems

Outdated systems that no longer receive security updates are sitting ducks for attackers. Without regular updates, these old systems are easy targets.

How businesses can manage legacy system risks:

• Upgrade to supported hardware and software whenever we can.
• Use network segmentation to isolate older systems.
• Add extra layers of protection, like firewalls and intrusion detection systems.

9. Remote working risks

Remote work is now the norm for many of us, with 28% of the UK workforce now working remotely either full time or part time, but it creates major security challenges. Home networks and personal devices often don’t have the same protection as office setups. It’s hard to make sure everyone working remotely is secure, which makes it easier for attackers to get in.

How businesses can secure remote working:

• Make everyone use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for secure connections when they’re working from home.
• Put security software on all devices that your employees use for work, even their own if you need to.
• Teach your staff about the dangers of using personal devices for work and how to make their home networks safer.
• Only give remote workers access to the data they need to do their jobs.

10. AI-powered cyber threats

AI is transforming the cyber crime landscape. Hackers are using AI to automate attacks, bypass traditional security measures, and even create frighteningly convincing deepfakes.

Gartner shows that AI has already made phishing attacks more successful and is being used to trick fingerprint and facial recognition. This growing use of AI in cyber attacks makes cyber security training and strong security measures even more critical for you.

How businesses can protect against AI-driven threats:

• Train your teams to recognise AI-generated scams.
• Use AI-powered threat detection tools. AI moves fast, and so do the threats it creates. AI-based security tools can spot unusual patterns, behaviours, or anomalies much faster than a human could. They help catch sophisticated attacks early, before they have a chance to do real damage. Without that extra layer of smart protection, it’s easy for AI-driven threats to slip through the cracks.
• Encrypt sensitive data wherever possible.
• Continuously review and adapt security strategies as AI threats evolve.

Cyber security isn’t a one-and-done job; it’s something you need to continuously manage. By understanding the risks and taking proactive steps, you can protect your business, data, and your reputation.

Learn more about the most common cyber security threats in our free, comprehensive guide.

Protect your business from cyber attacks with ISO 27001

As cyber crime continues to evolve, businesses need to be ready. Taking the right steps now will help you reduce risk and be prepared if the worst happens.

One of the best ways to safeguard your business is by building an Information Security Management System (ISMS) aligned with ISO 27001.

ISO 27001 is the internationally recognised Standard for managing information security. It gives you a clear framework to find, handle, and lower security risks, making sure your organisation stays safe. By getting ISO 27001 certification, your business shows that it’s serious about security, which builds trust with your customers, partners, and gives everyone peace of mind.

Start your ISO 27001 journey with Be Certified

Achieving ISO 27001 certification doesn’t have to be complicated. With Be Certified’s intuitive ISO 27001 platform, you can streamline the entire process and create a clear pathway to certification.  Our easy-to-use software provides step-by-step guidance, expert resources, and customisable templates to help you build and manage your ISMS efficiently.

Whether you’re new to ISO 27001 or looking to improve your existing security framework, Be Certified equips you with the tools and knowledge to meet compliance requirements and strengthen your organisation’s cyber resilience. Start your journey today with a free demo and take control of your information security.