Fareham: Taylor Made warns companies to test against hackers

Businesses across the south are calling upon specialist companies to hack them in the wake of the NHS Wannacry attack last year.

Taylor Made Computer Solutions, which specialises in cyber security, says it’s seen more companies ask it to perform ‘vulnerability testing’ following the high profile hack.

Vulnerability testing involves testing weaknesses in a company’s IT systems, sometimes even hacking websites or databases to expose potential entry points. Once organisations have a clear picture of their areas of weakness they can take steps to strengthen them and create a watertight strategy to protect themselves from cyber criminals.

Taylor Made Computer Solutions, based in Fareham, has seen a steep rise in local firms asking for vulnerability testing following the NHS ransomware attack a year ago.

In May 2017 some NHS services were brought to a standstill by a piece of ransomware called Wannacry. The malware also infected hundreds of thousands of computers across the globe.

The NHS carried out vulnerability testing on its own systems earlier this year and, according to the House of Commons public accounts committee, 200 trusts failed.

Nigel Taylor, founder and managing director of Taylor Made, said: “I think the NHS attack has been a real wake-up call for organisations across the board – both public and private. They’ve seen that the service’s vulnerability testing has highlighted weak points and they’re understandably concerned that they might have similar issues.

“We’re seeing a real increase in demand for vulnerability testing, along with the important job that comes afterwards – shoring up systems to keep them safe.”

For tips on how to keep your systems safe from cyber crime from Taylor Made visit www.tmcs.co.uk