Cyber Security News and Advice

Making sense of Cyber Security for business owners

NCSC 2025 Review: UK Cyber Threats, Supply Chains, and the rise of AI
Mark Faithfull Mark Faithfull

NCSC 2025 Review: UK Cyber Threats, Supply Chains, and the rise of AI

The NCSC Annual Review 2025 delivers a clear warning: UK organisations must take cyber resilience seriously, especially across their supply chains. This article breaks down the key messages for business leaders and explains how Cool Waters Cyber and our Cyber Swift Supply Chain Portal help companies identify, monitor and manage cyber risks before they disrupt operations.

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Cyber Safety in Construction
Mark Faithfull Mark Faithfull

Cyber Safety in Construction

To integrate cyber safety into an organisation’s culture, businesses must go beyond compliance checkboxes and isolated IT training. Instead, we advocate for a structured, behaviour-driven approach that mirrors the success of physical and mental health safety campaigns. This article provides actionable steps construction firms can take.

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Beyond the Firewall: Why Supply-Chain Cyber Security Is Really About Keeping the Lights On
Mark Faithfull Mark Faithfull

Beyond the Firewall: Why Supply-Chain Cyber Security Is Really About Keeping the Lights On

When people first began talking seriously about “third-party cyber risk” a decade ago, the conversation centred almost entirely on privacy and data protection. If a supplier mislaid a laptop or sent the wrong spreadsheet, the danger was embarrassment, a possible fine and perhaps a headline about leaked personal data. Important, yes—but rarely business-critical.

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Benefits of Cyber Essentials in 2025
Mark Faithfull Mark Faithfull

Benefits of Cyber Essentials in 2025

Imagine if there was a business insurance policy that reduced your chances of making a claim by 92%. You'd snap it up without hesitation, wouldn't you? Well, that protection exists – and it's called Cyber Essentials. Yet astonishingly, only 12% of UK businesses are aware of this government-backed scheme that could be the difference between staying in business and becoming another cyber crime statistic.

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Cyber Security in 2025: What UK Business Leaders Need to Know
Mark Faithfull Mark Faithfull

Cyber Security in 2025: What UK Business Leaders Need to Know

Running a business has never been more challenging. Between managing cash flow, keeping customers happy, and staying ahead of the competition, cyber security often feels like another overwhelming task on an already packed agenda. But here's the reality: ignoring cyber threats in today's digital world is like leaving your office doors unlocked overnight – eventually, someone will walk in.

The government's latest Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025 reveals some eye-opening truths about the state of UK businesses. More importantly, it shows clear, practical steps you can take to protect what you've worked so hard to build.

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A Proven Path to Implementing the UK Cyber Governance Code with IASME Cyber Assurance
Mark Faithfull Mark Faithfull

A Proven Path to Implementing the UK Cyber Governance Code with IASME Cyber Assurance

The recent statistics are eye-opening: 70% of medium businesses and 75% of large businesses in the UK have experienced a cyber breach in the past year. With digital risks continuing to mount, the UK government has introduced the Cyber Governance Code of Practice to guide boards and directors in their oversight of cyber risk.

But for many organisations, a burning question remains: "How do we actually implement this in practice?"

At Cool Waters Cyber, we've answered this question with our comprehensive guide: "Implementing the UK Cyber Governance Code with IASME Cyber Assurance: A Practical Roadmap." Today, we're sharing key insights from this report to help your organisation navigate the path to stronger cyber governance and providing a free download of the full report.

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Quantum Computing: What It Means for Your PCI Compliance
Mark Faithfull Mark Faithfull

Quantum Computing: What It Means for Your PCI Compliance

The idea of quantum computing might sound like science fiction—but it’s becoming science fact faster than most businesses realise. While we’re still years away from fully operational quantum computers, developments are accelerating—and they could have serious implications for the way we protect sensitive data.

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Passkeys: A deep dive for IT Managers
Mark Faithfull Mark Faithfull

Passkeys: A deep dive for IT Managers

Passkeys have gained prominence because they directly address the growing weaknesses of password-based security. Cybersecurity risks related to passwords are well-documented: the majority of cyber breaches involve lost, stolen, or weak credentials . Attackers commonly obtain passwords via phishing scams, database breaches, or by exploiting password reuse. Traditional passwords are simply not adequate protection on today’s internet

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Not all ISO 27001 certificates are the same – how to avoid expensive mistakes
Mark Faithfull Mark Faithfull

Not all ISO 27001 certificates are the same – how to avoid expensive mistakes

When your customers request ISO 27001 certification, it's because they need credible assurance that your information security is robustly managed. However, many businesses fall into the trap of obtaining an ISO 27001 certificate that isn't accredited by a recognised body like the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS)

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The Next Big Shift in Construction Safety: Are You Ready for Cyber Safety?
Mark Faithfull Mark Faithfull

The Next Big Shift in Construction Safety: Are You Ready for Cyber Safety?

For decades, the construction industry has worked tirelessly to improve health and safety culture. What was once a regulatory headache has transformed into a core business value, saving lives and improving project outcomes.

Now, a new safety frontier is emerging—one that construction firms can no longer ignore: Cyber Safety.

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ISO 27001: Why It’s Not Just for Large Corporations
Mark Faithfull Mark Faithfull

ISO 27001: Why It’s Not Just for Large Corporations

Many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) believe that ISO 27001 certification is something only large corporations need. After all, isn’t cybersecurity just an issue for massive enterprises with thousands of employees and deep pockets?

The truth is, cyber threats don’t discriminate based on company size. In fact, the latest NCSC Annual Review 2024confirms that smaller businesses are prime targets for cybercriminals, particularly those handling sensitive data or sitting in the supply chain.

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ISO 27001 Beyond Certification: The Importance of Continuous Compliance
Mark Faithfull Mark Faithfull

ISO 27001 Beyond Certification: The Importance of Continuous Compliance

Achieving ISO 27001 certification is a significant milestone for any business—it demonstrates a commitment to protecting sensitive information and managing cybersecurity risks. However, many organisations make a critical mistake: they view certification as the finish line rather than the beginning of an ongoing process.

Cyber threats are not static, and compliance should not be either. Without continuous compliance, businesses risk falling out of certification, exposing themselves to security breaches, and damaging their reputation.

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Cyber News - February 2025
Mark Faithfull Mark Faithfull

Cyber News - February 2025

In today’s interconnected digital landscape, the importance of robust cybersecurity measures cannot be overstated. Recent events have highlighted vulnerabilities that, if left unaddressed, can have severe repercussions for businesses of all sizes. This article delves into three significant incidents, elucidating their implications and offering actionable steps for business leaders to fortify their organisations against similar threats.

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Cyber Essentials for St James’s Place Partners
Mark Faithfull Mark Faithfull

Cyber Essentials for St James’s Place Partners

In today’s hyper-connected world, cybersecurity is no longer optional—it’s an essential foundation for business resilience and trust. Recognizing this, St. James’s Place (SJP) has mandated its partners to obtain Cyber Essentials certification, reinforcing their commitment to safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring regulatory compliance. 

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