Practices
In today’s interconnected digital environment, conversations about cyber security often focus on advanced threats from nation-state attacks to sophisticated zero-day exploits. However, the reality is that many successful breaches do not rely on cutting-edge techniques. Instead, they exploit human behaviour and poor security practices.
Just as good hygiene protects our health, strong digital hygiene protects our data. By adopting consistent, preventive habits like updating software, verifying links, and using strong authentication, individuals can significantly reduce cyber risks.
Cyber security is not solely the responsibility of IT teams. Every individual within an organisation plays a vital role in maintaining resilience. Effective cyber security begins with you.
Below are three foundational practices that form the cornerstone of strong digital hygiene.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): A Critical First Line of Defence
If there’s one step that immediately strengthens your security posture, it’s enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on all available accounts.
MFA , also known as Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) ,adds an extra layer of protection by requiring two or more verification factors, such as a password (something you know) and a code from an authenticator app (something you have).
According to Microsoft, over 99.9% of compromised accounts did not have MFA enabled, proving its effectiveness as one of the simplest yet most powerful security controls.
Recommended actions:
- Enable MFA for all key accounts, including email, banking, and work-related services.
- Use an authenticator app (e.g. Microsoft Authenticator or Google Authenticator) instead of SMS for stronger phishing resistance.
- Phishing Awareness: Recognise and Prevent Social Engineering Attacks
Phishing remains the most common and successful cyberattack method. According to IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report, phishing was responsible for 36% of breaches last year. Attackers impersonate trusted brands or individuals to trick users into sharing credentials or clicking malicious links.
Modern phishing emails often look legitimate with realistic branding, relevant messaging, and convincing URLs. Awareness and caution are your best defence.
Common red flags include:
- Urgency – Messages demanding immediate action or warning of consequences.
- Suspicious Sender – Email addresses inconsistent with the real domain.
- Unfamiliar Links – Hover over links to check if they match the official site.
- Requests for Sensitive Data – Legitimate organisations rarely ask for passwords or PINs via email.
Recommended actions:
- Treat unsolicited emails or messages with caution.
- Verify the sender’s identity using official channels.
- Avoid clicking links or downloading attachments unless verified.
- Strengthening Password Security: Building a Robust Digital Perimeter
Weak or reused passwords remain one of the top causes of security breaches. Research from Verizon’s 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report shows that over 80% of breaches involve stolen or weak credentials.
The best approach today is to create long unique passphrases and use a password manager for safe storage. Frequent password changes are no longer recommended, strong, unique passwords are more effective.
Best practices:
- Use Unique Passwords – Never reuse credentials across multiple platforms.
- Prioritise Length – A passphrase of 16+ characters is far more secure.
- Leverage Password Managers – Tools like 1Password, Bitwarden, or LastPass can safely generate and store complex passwords. Protect the master password with MFA.
Essential Cyber Hygiene Checklist
To strengthen your digital security posture, incorporate the following actions into your routine:
| Action | Status | Notes |
| Enable Multi-Factor Authentication | ☐ | Activate MFA on all critical accounts; prefer authenticator apps over SMS. |
| Use a Password Manager | ☐ | Generate and store unique passwords for each platform. |
| Keep Software Updated | ☐ | Enable automatic updates for operating systems, browsers, and applications. |
| Back Up Critical Data | ☐ | Store backups securely in the cloud or on external drives. |
| Verify Before Clicking | ☐ | Confirm the legitimacy of emails, links, and attachments before interacting. |
| Secure Devices | ☐ | Enable strong passwords, PINs, or biometric authentication on all devices. |
Cyber security is not a one-time initiative but an ongoing commitment. By adopting simple yet powerful habits enabling MFA, recognising phishing attempts, and strengthening password security individuals can dramatically reduce their exposure to cyber threats.
The message is clear: cyber security starts with you. Through consistent, proactive digital hygiene, every person becomes a stronger link in the collective defence against evolving cyber risks.
References
IBM. (2024, July 30). IBM: Escalating data breach disruption pushes costs to new highs – 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report. Retrieved from https://newsroom.ibm.com/2024-07-30-ibm-report-escalating-data-breach-disruption-pushes-costs-to-new-highs IBM Newsroom
IBM. (2024). Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024. Retrieved from https://www.ibm.com/think/insights/cost-of-a-data-breach-2024-financial-industry IBM
Verizon. (2024). 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report. Retrieved from https://www.verizon.com/business/resources/reports/2024-dbir-data-breach-investigations-report.pdf
