From our Technology and Integrations Director at Purposeful Group, Cat Adams. As digital communication grows and technology advances, cyber threats are becoming more common.
In this article, we share a few practical ways to stay safe and insights into our ongoing protective efforts.
Why vigilance matters
Many cyber attacks don’t start with sophisticated hacking; they start with simple human mistakes:
- Clicking on a convincing-looking email
- Reusing passwords across multiple sites/apps
- Not using 2FA / MFA (multi-factor authentication)
- Sharing information via unsecure mediums (like email)
Criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and emails or calls can appear very genuine. That’s why awareness and vigilance are your strongest first line of defence.
Our top 5 tips to help keep you safe
Here are five practical things you can do today:
1. Pause before you click
If you receive an email or message asking for personal or financial information, take a moment to check it carefully. If something feels rushed, urgent or unusual, it’s always worth double-checking.
2. Use strong, unique passwords
Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts. A password manager can help keep things simple and secure.
3. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
Where available, this adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a second step to log in.
4. Keep your devices updated
Regular updates help ensure your devices have the latest security protections.
5. When in doubt, contact us directly
If you’re ever unsure about a message or request received from us, please pick up the phone or contact us using known details. We’d always rather you checked.
What we’re doing to protect you
Protecting your data and your financial information is a top priority for us. We are:
- Rolling out a client portal across the group to ensure there is a secure channel for you to share communications and important documents
- Regularly reviewing and updating our cyber security policies
- Training our team to spot and respond to potential threats
We take our responsibilities seriously and are continually assessing how we can strengthen our defences.
Why we encourage using the client portal
You’ll have seen us encouraging you to use our secure client portal – and there’s a very good reason for that.
Email is one of the most common ways information is intercepted in cyber attacks. The portal is designed to reduce that risk.
By using the portal:
- Your documents are stored securely in one place
- Sensitive information isn’t being sent via email
- Access is protected by secure log-in systems
- There is s a clear audit trail of activity between us
How the portal helps protect everyone – including you
Even if your email account or device were ever compromised, the portal provides an added layer of protection.
For example:
- A cybercriminal cannot access your documents without your portal login details
- Requests or instructions can be verified securely within the system
- It reduces the risk of fraudulent instructions being sent via email
It creates a safer, controlled environment for sharing important information.
A shared responsibility
Cyber security isn’t just something we manage behind the scenes – it’s something we all play a part in.
By combining:
- your vigilance
- our systems and processes
- and the use of secure tools like the portal
together, we create a much stronger line of defence.
We know that security concerns can feel worrying, but please be reassured that we will continue to invest in our systems, training, and processes to help protect you and your information.
If you are ever unsure about anything, please just get in touch – we’re always here to help.Please note while these steps and our systems are designed to help reduce the risk of cyber crime, no system can be guaranteed as completely risk-free. The information above is general guidance and we’re always happy to discuss any specific concerns you may have.