Prepare for a Resilient, Secure and Successful 2025

2024 is coming to a close and I hope you’re enjoying a festive boost to your business and/or finding time to wind down and look forward to a successful 2025.

Typically reserved for January, I like to do a little prep work in December, for all the areas of my life I have goals for next year. Not only does it improve my motivation, it gives me a starting point so I’m not flapping or overwhelmed with where to start after a lazy, food laden and bevvy heavy Christmas and New Year.

If like me, you want to hit the ground running, I thought I would create a simple 5 point check list to get your business ready for 2025 - which, with the current threat trends set to continue, looks like it could bring with it some challenges. AI-powered threats are becoming more sophisticated, Internet of Things (IoT) vulnerabilities are expanding as more devices connect to business networks, and remote work security remains increasingly crucial as hybrid models become permanent.

But don’t worry. You can massively enhance your protection against such threats by paying a little attention to your cybersecurity. Do 2025 You a favour and get your business, platform or non-profit in shape with these recommendations.

1) Conduct a Cybersecurity Audit

A cybersecurity audit is an evaluation of your business set up (particularly the digital side) to identify vulnerabilities and ensure adequate protection of sensitive data.

Here’s a quick breakdown of a very simplified version of the process you can do in under half a day.

Conduct an intake:
Create a table with 3 columns and label each column: Hardware (your devices incl. IoT), Software (the programs on your devices) and accounts (socials, organisational tools etc).

1. Prioritise each:
   Which of these are imperative to the smooth running of your business and brand? Try to list them accordingly. For example, your website is probably more valuable than your LinkedIn. Just as the next 3 months content vault is more of a priority than the Hotmail you use to order stationery every 6 months.
   

2. Identification of Vulnerabilities and Risks
   Against your top 5-15 priorities, mark them against the following criteria:
   
   - Are access controls secure (e.g. strong passwords/user access groups/2FA)?
   - Has it been backed up?
   - Does it need to be updated?
   - Has it been scanned for viruses (where applicable)?
   - Are security/privacy settings as strong as they can be?
   

3. Implementation of Security Improvements
   
   Develop an action plan based on findings. This might be as simple as updating passwords, installing necessary security updates or prioritising staff training in the new year.

This is a super simple version but can still have great results and move you into a positive security mindset whilst reducing overwhelm. Regular audits should be conducted at least annually to maintain a strong security posture but quarterly is recommended. With each iteration, you will find that the resulting measures strengthen your business further as you build upon each and grow in confidence and awareness.

2) Back up your data

Whatever spilt drinks, cyber attacks or forgotten credentials throw at you, a good back up system will literally have your back and the end of the year is a great time to do this often put off, but incredibly important task.

Here’s how to do it effectively on behalf of future you and make it a little easier on yourself.

1. Follow the 3-2-1 Rule
   Keep 3 copies of important data, storing backups on 2 different types of media e.g. cloud or hardware. Keep at least 1 backup offsite or in cloud storage.

2. Automate Your Backups
   Set up automatic backup schedules but always verify that they are completing successfully. Schedule in time to test backup restoration periodically

3. Secure Your Backups
   Use strong passwords for backup systems and encrypt that which is especially sensitive (many backup systems offer this as an option).

To learn more, this blog post goes indepth about my fave wing thing in the cybersecurity toolkit.

3) Refresh your passwords

Hopefully the audit has given you a bit of a nudge to change that password from your pets name and year of birth you’ve been using for years to something a little more meaty. Make it easy on yourself by switching to a password manager that will generate and store unique and strong passwords you can easily pull up when required.

If not for you, ensure your password follows these guidelines:

1. Length Matters
   Use at least 12 characters as longer passwords are harder to crack. To make them easier to remember, consider using passphrases.

2. Mix Character Types
   Combine uppercase and lowercase letters and include numbers and special characters

3. Avoid Personal Information
   Don't use birthdays or names and skip common dictionary words and sequential numbers

4. Use Unique Passwords
   Never reuse passwords across accounts and change passwords if services are breached
   
   

4) Update your systems

Despite the many times you’ve pressed ‘Remind Me Later’, later is now, and now is the time to update your systems.

Keeping systems updated is crucial for maintaining a strong security posture as software updates and security patches address known vulnerabilities that cybercriminals actively exploit. Outdated systems are prime targets for malware, ransomware, and other nasty cyber attacks.

At the click of a button and brief distraction of a good book, quick walk or sorting your receipts, updates not only protect against security threats but can improve system performance, add new features, and ensure compatibility with other software. You can make it even easier by setting up automatic updates where available.

5) Incorporate Digital Wellness into your New Year Health Goals

I’m really not a ‘New Year New Me’, burpees in the park, resolution kinda gal, but I do try to do make one change for my overall health and wellbeing each year, whether it’s ditching diet mentality, starting pilates or, as I did in 2024, cutting down (or trying to) on screentime. It’s not easy, but I think super important for mental and physical health, and the experts largely agree.

Whether it’s getting a comfier chair to work from, building some boundaries in or fully committing to a digital detox, any step towards a better balance is worth trying

I love The Guardian’s Reclaim Your Brain plan to help you reset your screen habits. However, I’m also launching a FREE 30 day Digital Health Kick in the New Year that slowly takes a holistic approach to making small, long lasting changes that improve not only your mental and physical health but also increases productivity. Sign up to the newsletter to be the first to know of it’s release.

Thanks for joining me today, I hope this leaves you feeling a little more secure and ready for a successful year ahead. Come back in January and we’ll look at how you can put the lessons learnt from your audit into practice. Connect on Instagram or sign up to the newsletter (in the footer) so there’s no forgetting.

Otherwise, Happy Holidays to those who celebrate!

Madeline :)