How secure is your business ?
SECURITY
Experienced – Aspire director of information security Bob McKay .
THE PROTECTORS :
LEADING THE WAY IN CYBER SECURITY
How secure is your business ?
WORDS : DAVE ROBSON
142 | Tees Business
As the digital landscape expands , the threat of cyber attacks has grown exponentially . The risk of attacks looms larger than ever before , affecting both big players and small-tomedium-sized businesses ( SMBs ).
To gain deeper insights into this pressing issue , we recently caught up with leading managed IT and cyber security provider Aspire Technology Solutions .
Bob McKay , director of information security at Aspire , highlighted that cyber threats are a reality for everyone . He emphasised the significance of adequate protection for businesses across the board , irrespective of their size .
“ It ’ s a common misconception that smaller businesses are immune to cyber attacks . But people forget to factor in that some sophisticated tools are being used by lone wolves – perhaps a teenager sitting in their bedroom , working on a commission basis for a larger organisation . It ’ s astonishing how frequently SMBs fall victim to ransomware attacks for seemingly insignificant sums ,” Bob explained .
The threat is undeniably real , making it crucial for all businesses , including sole traders , to prioritise robust protection measures .
With his extensive experience in the field , Bob understands the significance of cyber security better than most . His background includes establishing an IT company in the Virgin Islands , serving high-profile clients who demanded top-notch security measures . After eight years in the Caribbean , he moved back to the UK – “ I moved to the North-East for the weather ,” he joked .
Since joining Aspire in November , Bob has been instrumental in positioning Aspire ’ s security offering as a market leader .
Founded 16 years ago , Aspire Technology Solutions has become one of the UK ’ s leading managed IT and cyber security providers with more than 250 employees across offices in Gateshead , Stockton , Leeds , and London . One of Aspire ’ s flagship services , RealProtect , provides a comprehensive managed cyber security solution that incorporates best-in-class tools and technology .
Bob was quick to point out that Aspire ’ s security team is more than just an “ add-