Running a business in Sussex means keeping up with the times — and that includes staying on top of your cyber security. With threats becoming more frequent and more sophisticated, 2025 is shaping up to be a year where local businesses simply can’t afford to ignore their digital defences.
Whether you’re based in Brighton, Worthing, Crawley or anywhere across East or West Sussex, this guide shares practical, down-to-earth tips to help you protect your business, your customers, and your reputation.
Here are some cyber security tips for Sussex based businesses:
1. Get Cyber Essentials Certified
Cyber Essentials is a government-backed scheme that helps you protect against common online threats. It’s straightforward, recognised across the UK, and a real trust-builder with clients — especially if you work with public sector organisations.
Why it matters:
Helps prevent around 80% of basic attacks
Often required for government contracts
Shows customers you take security seriously
Need help getting certified? Cyber United can guide you through every step.
2. Upgrade from Antivirus to EDR
Basic antivirus software is no longer enough. In 2025, Sussex businesses need Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools that offer real-time monitoring, threat detection and quick action if something dodgy pops up.
Benefits:
Detects advanced threats that traditional antivirus might miss
Responds automatically to suspicious behaviour
Helps meet insurance and compliance requirements
Check out our EDR solutions to see how we can help.
3. Test Your Defences with Penetration Testing
You wouldn’t leave your office door wide open, so why take chances online? Penetration testing checks your systems for vulnerabilities by simulating a real attack.
Perfect for:
Identifying weak spots before attackers do
Meeting compliance standards in sectors like finance and healthcare
Strengthening your overall IT setup
Learn more about our penetration testing services and how we support Sussex businesses.
4. Teach Staff to Spot Phishing Scams
Most successful cyber attacks start with someone clicking a dodgy email. Make sure your team knows what to look for.
Tips:
Run regular cyber awareness sessions
Send out example phishing emails as practice
Set clear rules about how to handle suspicious messages
We offer practical cyber awareness training tailored to Sussex teams of all sizes.
5. Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Passwords alone won’t cut it anymore. With multi-factor authentication, even if someone guesses your password, they still need a second code to get in.
Use MFA for:
Microsoft 365 logins
VPNs and remote access
Key business apps
It’s quick to set up and massively boosts your security. You can read more from Microsoft’s MFA guide.
6. Secure Your Microsoft 365 Setup
Many Sussex businesses rely on Microsoft 365, but it’s not always secure by default. Make sure you:
Enable MFA for all users
Lock down admin accounts
Back up your data with a third-party tool
Our Microsoft 365 Backup service ensures you don’t lose valuable emails or documents.
7. Back Up Your Data Properly
If you get hit by ransomware or suffer a hardware failure, a good backup could save your business. It’s that simple.
Best practice:
Back up daily (at least)
Keep at least one copy offsite or in the cloud
Test your backups regularly to make sure they work
Not sure where to start? Talk to us.
8. Have an Incident Response Plan
If something goes wrong, how quickly can you bounce back? An incident response plan sets out who does what if you suffer a breach.
Include:
Who to call
What steps to take
How to communicate with customers or regulators
NCSC also offers a helpful incident response guide.
9. Keep Software and Systems Updated
Cyber criminals love out-of-date systems. Whether it’s your laptop, website, or router, make sure everything stays updated.
Quick wins:
Turn on automatic updates
Schedule regular patch checks
Remove old software you no longer use
Our Managed IT Services include regular patching and system checks.
10. Segment Your Network
Network segmentation means separating different parts of your IT system so one breach doesn’t bring everything down.
For example:
Keep guest Wi-Fi separate from your business network
Put servers and sensitive systems behind their own firewall
Use access controls to limit who can reach what
More guidance is available from Cisco on network segmentation.
11. Know What You Have
Keeping a record of your devices, software and user accounts helps spot risks early. It’s called an asset inventory, and it’s easier than it sounds.
Track:
Laptops, desktops and mobile devices
Software licences and expiry dates
Cloud services and user accounts
We offer asset and inventory management as part of our support packages.
12. Look After Your Remote Workers
Hybrid and remote working are here to stay, especially in Sussex. But they can also open the door to cyber threats.
Tips:
Use secure connections (like VPNs or zero-trust access)
Provide work devices with proper protection
Encourage staff to report anything suspicious
Ask us about securing your remote working setup.
13. Run Regular Cyber Health Checks
A lot can change in a few months. That’s why we recommend a cyber health check every quarter. It’s like an MOT for your IT systems.
We’ll review:
New risks and threats
Your current policies and tools
Opportunities to tighten up security
Book a free check-up to see how you’re doing.
14. Work With a Local Partner You Can Trust
Having someone on your doorstep who understands your business makes a big difference. At Cyber United, we’re proud to support businesses across:
And all surrounding areas
We’re not just a helpdesk. We’re your long-term cyber security partner.
Final Thoughts
Cyber security might seem complicated, but with the right steps, it becomes manageable. By following these tips, your Sussex-based business will be far better prepared for whatever 2025 throws your way.