Insights

For many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the firewall remains the first and often main line of defence against cyber threats. Yet too often, firewalls are treated as a one-off purchase rather than a living, evolving security control. Misconfigurations, outdated software, and a lack of oversight can open the door to attacks that would otherwise be preventable. Below we explore five of the most common SME firewall missteps, the risks they pose, and how Integrity360 helps businesses avoid them.

In today’s threat landscape, the question for most organisations is no longer if a breach will occur but when. Being breach ready means having the structures, people and processes in place to respond effectively and minimise damage. A well-designed Incident Response (IR) plan gives your team a clear roadmap during a crisis, reduces confusion and accelerates recovery. Here’s how to build one that works in practice.

When it comes to cyber security the role of the board has never been more critical. No longer can directors view cyber security as just an IT concern. A board that is breach ready can help ensure an organisation not only survives an incident but emerges stronger. To achieve this, boards must take a proactive stance, embedding cyber resilience into governance, culture, and decision-making. 

The phrase “breach ready” is increasingly used in boardrooms, industry events, and vendor pitches. Yet many organisations still struggle to understand what it truly means in practice. Too often it is interpreted as simply having cyber insurance or a basic incident response plan in place. In reality, being breach ready goes far deeper. It means building the capability to withstand, respond to, and recover from a cyber attack with minimal disruption and cost.

In the world of cyber security, attackers are always innovating and testing the boundaries of systems, networks, and applications to find the gaps that no one else has spotted. For organisations, the challenge is keeping ahead of them. Traditional penetration testing is a powerful and necessary tool, but it’s not the only one available. Enter the modern-day bounty hunters: highly skilled ethical hackers scouring your systems for exposures before malicious actors can exploit them. This is the world of bug bounties. 

Despite its value, Penetration Testing is often misunderstood. Misconceptions not only hold organisations back from commissioning tests, but can also create a false sense of security or leave businesses exposed.

Firewalls are not glamourous. They rarely make headlines, and when they work well you barely notice them. Yet in 2025, when your business depends on cloud apps, remote users, and always-on services, the humble firewall still carries a lot of weight. Think of your network like a building. You have doors, corridors, lifts, and a steady stream of visitors. A firewall is the front desk and the security team. It lets the right people in, keeps the wrong people out, and spots odd behaviour before it becomes a problem. 

Identity has become the front door to everything your organisation relies on. Staff, partners, contractors and machines all need access to cloud apps, on-prem systems and data. Attackers know this, which is why phishing, credential theft and privilege abuse remain their favourite routes in. Building a robust security foundation therefore starts with identity security. In this blog, we look at the challenges organisations face, why identity security is so important, and how Integrity360 can help you put strong, sustainable controls in place.

Cyber attacks dominate headlines, but there’s another threat that is just as dangerous — and often easier for attackers to exploit. While businesses invest heavily in firewalls, endpoint protection, and cloud defences, many leave the physical front door wide open. A skilled intruder doesn’t need to hack your systems if they can simply walk in, bypass access controls, and steal sensitive data.

Enterprise attack surfaces are expanding faster than most teams can track. Internet-facing services spin up across hybrid cloud, legacy systems linger for business reasons, and third-party integrations widen exposure. Meanwhile, boards and regulators want clearer proof that risk is understood and controlled, across frameworks such as ISO 27001, PCI DSS, DORA and NIS2. Add stretched teams, patch backlogs and alert fatigue, and it is easy to miss weaknesses on the perimeter where attackers most often start. An External Vulnerability Infrastructure Assessment tackles that visibility gap by focusing on the systems adversaries can see first.

Cyber attacks often seem faceless, but hidden behind the headlines of financial loss and technical details there are very real human stories. Of employees, customers, and families who suffer from the immediate emotional and psychological impacts. 

Unlocking the full potential of Microsoft’s built-in security capabilities takes more than just a licence. It requires cyber security expertise, strategic alignment with business goals, and smart implementation. That’s where Integrity360 comes in.