Top ten online safety tips for organisations in 2025

February 9th, 2025 Posted in Cyber Security

Cybersecurity isn’t just a technology issue anymore; it’s a business resilience issue. In the IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2025, the global average cost of a data breach reached $4.44 million (£3.63 million), with the UK sitting above the European average. Despite the slight decline from last year’s peak, this remains the second-highest figure on record, underscoring how costly and disruptive breaches have become. Beyond the financial loss, the impact on operations, reputation and client trust can last for years.

Online safety used to be a personal concern, keeping your social media or email secure, but for organisations, the stakes are much higher. With hybrid work, cloud adoption, and the increased sophistication of social engineering attacks, every employee and supplier now plays a role in safeguarding business data.

Here are ten practical, up-to-date online safety tips to help your organisation stay secure in 2025.

1. Lead from the top

Cyber resilience starts with leadership. Boards and senior managers should treat cybersecurity as an ongoing business risk, not a one-off IT project. Assign accountability for information security at the executive level, ensure policies are approved and reviewed regularly, and include cyber risk metrics in management reporting. A clear tone from the top helps embed security awareness throughout the organisation.

2. Embed regular cyber awareness training

Human error remains one of the leading causes of data breaches. According to the UK Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025, 84% of UK businesses that experienced a breach reported phishing as the main cause. Regular cyber awareness training ensures employees can recognise risks, handle data responsibly, and respond quickly to suspicious activity. Training should be engaging, scenario-based, and refreshed at least annually to reflect evolving threats.

It’s also important for employees to understand the risks associated with using AI within their day-to-day work. Conducting internal awareness training and ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge of using AI responsibly will help.

3. Use strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Weak or reused passwords continue to fuel credential theft attacks, which surged by 160% in 2025 (ITPro, 2025). Implement clear password policies that promote unique, complex passphrases and require MFA on all critical accounts, including email, VPNs, and cloud systems. Consider deploying a password manager across the organisation to reduce poor password practices and simplify secure access for employees.

4. Recognise and report phishing attempts

Phishing remains the most common entry point for cybercriminals. Encourage staff to double-check URLs, hover over links before clicking, and never share credentials or sensitive information via email. Run simulated phishing campaigns to test and educate employees — our phishing awareness training can help build resilience through real-world scenarios. Make it easy for staff to report suspected phishing attempts to IT or security teams.

Read how our SOC team recently unravelled a full-scale brand impersonation phishing attempt.

5. Secure remote and hybrid work environments

With hybrid working now standard, endpoint and access security are more critical than ever. Ensure staff use company-managed devices, protected with up-to-date antivirus and encryption, and connect via a secure VPN. Implement device management solutions to monitor compliance and enable remote wipe capabilities in case of loss or theft. Clear remote working policies help reduce the risk of accidental data exposure.

6. Patch and update systems promptly

Unpatched software remains one of the most exploited weaknesses in business environments. Establish a routine patching schedule for operating systems, applications, and firmware — and verify updates are successfully applied. For larger environments, a vulnerability management programme and regular penetration testing will help identify potential entry points before attackers do.

7. Secure your supply chain

A growing number of breaches originate not within the organisation itself, but via trusted third parties. In 2025, almost one-third of UK business leaders reported an increase in supply-chain cyberattacks (The Guardian, 2025). Assess the security posture of your vendors, require them to meet baseline standards (such as Cyber Essentials or ISO 27001), and build security requirements into contracts. Visibility and oversight are key.

8. Manage access rights and privilege levels

Adopt a “least privilege” approach, giving employees only the access they need to perform their role. Review permissions regularly, remove accounts for leavers promptly, and segment critical systems to reduce the blast radius of any potential breach. Implement centralised identity and access management (IAM) tools to streamline control and audit access across your network.

9. Prepare for incidents before they happen

Even with strong defences, cyber incidents can and do occur. Develop a tested incident response plan outlining how to detect, contain, and recover from a breach. Maintain regular offline backups of essential data, verify restoration processes, and conduct tabletop exercises with relevant teams. Having a plan, and practising it dramatically reduces recovery time and costs.

View our cyber incident response service

10. Build a culture of continual security improvement

Online safety isn’t a box-ticking exercise. Encourage employees to speak up about potential security concerns and reward proactive behaviour. Schedule regular reviews of your cybersecurity posture, measure progress, and adapt to new threats. Cybersecurity awareness days, internal communications, and leadership engagement all help keep security front of mind year-round.

Final thoughts

Online safety in 2025 goes far beyond personal password protection. For organisations, it’s about embedding security into every level, from leadership decisions to everyday habits. By strengthening awareness, tightening controls, and preparing for the unexpected, businesses can reduce the risk of data breaches and maintain client confidence.

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