Ransomware guide for your staff

Cyber security is something that all businesses need to be concerned about. In the UK, from 2021, over 165 million records were exposed in the UK due to data breaches. This would have a devastating impact on any company, causing huge financial losses and reputational damage.


Unfortunately, a lot of attacks occur due to employee errors. This is because they have not been given the right guidance. With that in mind, we have put together this guide to help you protect yourself from ransomware.


What is ransomware?

Before we delve deeper into ransomware and how to protect yourself, it is imperative to explain what ransomware is.


Ransomware is a form of malicious software that has been created so that access to your computer system is blocked. Once ransomware has infected your network, the hacker will usually get in touch to demand a ransom so that you can access your files again.


There is no guarantee that you are going to regain access to your system by paying the ransom, though, so even if we were to pay the ransom, the files could be lost forever.


What can you do to protect yourself from ransomware?

Now that you have a good understanding of what ransomware is, we’re going to take you through some of the different steps you can follow to protect yourself:


1.   Do not click on any attachments or links from people you don’t know

One of the most important rules when protecting yourself from ransomware is making sure that you do not click on any attachments or links from people you don’t know. If you do not recognise the email address, you should never click on any sort of attachment.


2.   Always double-check if you receive an email from someone you know but you weren’t expecting

You may receive an email from someone you know, encouraging you to open an attachment or click on a link. However, the email may be a bit of a surprise, i.e. something that you were not expecting. If this is the case, don’t click on anything yet!


Make sure you get in touch with the person who sent it to ensure that they meant to. It could be that someone has hacked into their email and sent you ransomware this way.


3.   Always double-check the email address

Hackers are sophisticated these days. They know how to make emails appear as they have come from someone else. They will often copy the structure, logo, font, and other common elements used by establishments such as banks and other well-known organisations, making it appear like the emails are genuine. However, one thing they cannot fake is the email address, so always double-check this.


Be careful, though, as they can put the company’s email address within the email’s subject line to try and trick you, so this is something else to look out for!


4.   Never use your work email address to sign up or register for anything online

Unless you are authorised and the sign-up is work-related, do not use your work email address to sign-up for anything online. You should always use your personal account.


5.   Don’t give out your personal information

If you receive an email, text, or call from someone you don’t know, don’t give any of your personal information. Remember, genuine companies will never ask for your password in full!


If someone calls you and asks for characters two and four from your password, and then claims it does not work and asks for other characters, don’t give them the answer. They could be trying to piece your password together!


6.   Don’t download anything from a site unless you trust it

Do not download media files or software from unknown websites. Only use trusted and verified sites if you are downloading something.


There should be markers of trust, for example, HTTPS in the URL bar instead of HTTP.


So there you have it: an insight into ransomware and how you can make sure that you protect yourself. Unfortunately, insider attacks represent a huge portion of data breaches today, and they often happen because of a lack of staff education on cyber security matters. Hopefully, this guide will help you to feel more confident about protecting yourself online. However, if you have any other queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Whenever you’re unsure, ask a senior member of staff.

Why Every Business Should Consider a Dark Web Monitoring Assessment

October 6, 2025
It sounds a bit like something out of ‘Halloween’, but the Dark Web is a real threat to business. How safe is yours? Most business leaders are aware of the need for firewalls, antivirus software, and secure backups. But what often goes unnoticed is one of the most dangerous threats lurking out of sight: the dark web. For cybercriminals, it’s a marketplace; but for businesses, it’s a serious risk. What is the dark web? The dark web is a hidden part of the internet where stolen data is traded, including email addresses, login credentials, financial information, and personal details. Once your company’s information appears there, it’s often too late; attackers already have what they need to strike. That’s why Cranborne, in partnership with Kaseya, offers dark web monitoring assessments. These assessments are a proactive way to discover whether your business is already exposed and to take steps to protect yourself. Whatever industry you’re in, the benefits are clear. 1. Find Out What’s Already Out There The first advantage of a dark web assessment is visibility. You can’t protect what you can’t see. Many businesses are shocked to learn that staff email addresses, old logins, or even sensitive company data are already circulating online without their knowledge. By scanning the dark web for compromised credentials linked to your business, an assessment provides clarity. It shows you what attackers may already know and arms you with the insight to act. 2. Protect Your Staff and Customers A single stolen password can unlock far more than an inbox. Attackers often reuse credentials across multiple systems, meaning that if an employee used the same password for email and payroll software, both could be at risk. Discovering these vulnerabilities early means you can enforce strong password resets, introduce multifactor authentication, and prevent further spread. In all industries where personal and financial information is at stake, this protection is essential for safeguarding customer trust. 3. Support Compliance and Governance Regulations like GDPR require businesses to protect personal data and respond quickly to breaches. Neglecting this responsibility may harm your professional reputation and could lead to substantial financial penalties. A dark web monitoring assessment supports compliance by proving you are actively monitoring risks beyond your immediate systems. It shows regulators, partners, and clients that your organisation takes data protection seriously and is investing in best practice. 4. Reduce the Risk of a Larger Attack Cybercriminals rarely strike without preparation. According to Kaseya’s security insights, attackers often spend weeks probing and preparing before deploying ransomware or phishing campaigns. Early warning makes all the difference. A dark web assessment provides that warning. By identifying leaked credentials before attackers use them, you can lock down systems, change passwords, and strengthen security — potentially stopping a full-scale attack before it begins. 5. Empower Your People Staff remain the first line of defence, and they need to understand how attackers operate. Dark web assessments help here, too. Showing your team real examples of leaked company data makes cybersecurity feel real and personal. It’s no longer an abstract “what if”; it’s proof that threats exist and must be taken seriously. With the right training and awareness, your staff become empowered to act securely. 6. Cost-Effective Risk Reduction Some leaders assume dark web monitoring is only necessary for banks, hospitals, or large corporations. Small and medium-sized businesses are frequent targets since attackers assume their defences are weaker. Compared to the cost of downtime, lost data, or reputational damage, an assessment is a low-cost, high-impact way to reduce risk. It’s proactive insurance that helps keep your business resilient. Why Now? Cybersecurity threats are increasing in volume and sophistication, and remote work has opened new doors for attackers. As the Kaseya checklist highlights, securing your organisation requires a multi-layered approach: patching, backups, strong authentication, employee training — and yes, monitoring the dark web. Whatever business you're in, a dark web monitoring assessment is a practical step you can take today to strengthen your security tomorrow. Take the Next Step with Cranborne Cranborne, working with Kaseya, offers a straightforward assessment to show you exactly what data linked to your business has already surfaced on the dark web. Quick – fast results with minimal disruption. Clear – easy-to-understand reporting on what’s been found. Actionable – guidance on the next steps to secure your business. The truth is simple: it’s not a matter of if your data will appear on the dark web, but when . The question is whether you’ll find out before the attackers use it. An assessment gives you the insight you need to act now and the confidence that your business is one step ahead. Ready to know what’s out there? Contact us today to book your dark web monitoring assessment and take the first step toward stronger, smarter cybersecurity.

Cyber Supply Chain Resilience: Lessons from the Jaguar Land Rover Attack

October 6, 2025
When news broke earlier this year that Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) had been forced to halt production at multiple UK plants due to a cyberattack on one of its suppliers, it sent shockwaves through the business community. The attack didn’t directly target JLR itself, but rather a critical part of its supply chain, yet the consequences were immediate, costly, and highly visible. For organisations of every size, from global manufacturers to SMEs and charities, the lesson is clear: your cyber resilience is only as strong as the weakest link in your supply chain. What Happened at Jaguar Land Rover? The disruption at JLR stemmed from an attack on a third-party supplier that produced key electronic modules used across its vehicle range. When the supplier’s systems were compromised, they were unable to deliver components on schedule. JLR had no choice but to suspend production temporarily, sending thousands of workers home and losing millions in revenue each day. Customers faced delays, dealers had shortages, and brand reputation took a hit. This incident illustrates a truth many businesses are only just recognising: a cyberattack anywhere in your extended ecosystem can hit your bottom line just as hard as an attack on your own network. Why Are Supply Chain Attacks Increasing? Several factors make supply chain attacks attractive to cybercriminals: One breach, many victims: Compromising a supplier often provides access or leverage over multiple downstream organisations. Trust relationships: Businesses tend to grant suppliers higher levels of access or integration, making lateral movement easier once a breach occurs. Weaker security controls: Not every supplier has the same level of cyber maturity. Attackers deliberately target smaller or less well-resourced firms in the chain. Ransom leverage: Attackers know disruption to the supply chain can be so damaging that businesses may feel compelled to pay quickly to restore operations. Research from the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) shows that supply chain compromise is now one of the fastest-growing attack vectors. The JLR case won’t be the last high-profile example. The Real Risks for UK Businesses While a global car manufacturer makes the headlines, SMEs, care homes, housing trusts and non-profits are just as vulnerable. Consider the following risks: Operational disruption – inability to deliver services or products due to supplier outage. Data leakage – if a supplier holds or processes your customer data, a breach could expose you to regulatory fines. Financial loss – downtime, remediation, and reputational damage all carry a cost. Regulatory compliance – frameworks like GDPR and the Cyber Security & Resilience Bill place responsibility on you for the security of your data, even when processed by third parties. Ignoring these risks is no longer an option. How to Build Cyber Supply Chain Resilience? So, what practical steps can organisations take? Here are some best practices Cranborne recommends to our clients: 1. Map Your Supply Chain Start by identifying all your key suppliers, contractors, and service providers. Understand what systems or data they touch and how critical they are to your operations. Many businesses are surprised at just how many third-party relationships they depend on. 2. Assess Supplier Security Not all suppliers are equal. Carry out due diligence on their cyber posture. Do they have Cyber Essentials or ISO 27001 certification? Do they conduct regular penetration tests? Build these checks into your procurement process. 3. Contractual Safeguards Where possible, include security requirements in supplier contracts. Define expectations around data handling, breach notification, and compliance. Make sure there are consequences for non-compliance. 4. Continuous Monitoring Cyber risk is not a one-time exercise. Implement processes to regularly review supplier risk, update assessments, and track any incidents. Automated risk-scoring tools can help. 5. Incident Response Planning Assume that at some point, a supplier will suffer a breach. The key is to minimise impact. Have clear playbooks for how you will respond if a critical partner goes offline. Test those plans regularly. 6. Diversify Where Possible Avoid single points of failure. If one supplier provides a mission-critical service, explore whether an alternative source or backup arrangement is feasible.  7. Educate Your Team Procurement, finance, and operations teams all play a role in managing supplier risk. Make sure they understand what to look for and how to escalate concerns. Turning Risk into Opportunity Customers, investors, and regulators are all placing increasing emphasis on resilience and good governance. Demonstrating that you manage your supply chain risks effectively can strengthen your reputation, build trust, and open new opportunities. For SMEs in particular, achieving Cyber Essentials Plus certification and working with partners like Cranborne can also make you more attractive to larger customers who want assurance that their downstream supply chains are protected. How Cranborne Supports Cyber Essentials At Cranborne, we guide organisations through the Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certification process from start to finish. Our team helps you assess your current controls, identify gaps, and implement the technical and policy measures needed to meet the standard. Final Thoughts The Jaguar Land Rover incident is a wake-up call for all UK organisations. Even the biggest brands can be brought to a standstill by an attack outside their direct control. By taking proactive steps now, from mapping suppliers to embedding cyber requirements in contracts, businesses of every size can build greater resilience and reduce their exposure. At Cranborne, we work with organisations across healthcare, financial services, retail and non-profit sectors to strengthen their cyber resilience, including supply chain risk management. If you’d like to explore how we can support your organisation, get in touch with our team today.