October is Cyber Security Awareness Month – the perfect time to take stock of your organisation’s defences. Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and relying on a single layer of protection is no longer enough. Attackers will always look for the weakest point, whether that’s a device, an employee, or even your physical premises.
The solution is a layered cybersecurity approach. By combining multiple, overlapping measures across people, processes, and technology, organisations can build resilience, reduce risk, and protect their most valuable assets. This month, we’re highlighting the key layers that every business should prioritise.
Even in today’s digital-first world, cybersecurity starts with physical security. Your facilities should have controlled entry points, hardware like servers and endpoints should be protected against tampering, and CCTV and access logs should monitor activity. Staff training is also essential to prevent risks like tailgating.
Physical access often means total access. In fact, 60% of companies report at least one physical breach in the past five years, and the 2016 Kyiv cyberattack showed how attackers can exploit hardware to cut power for thousands. Without strong physical security, digital defences alone aren’t enough.
Your network is the gateway to your organisation, and attackers know it. From unsecured Wi-Fi to misconfigured firewalls, the perimeter is often the first thing probed. Strengthening this layer helps stop threats before they can spread inside.
Poorly configured firewalls and unsecured Wi-Fi remain common entry points, and DDoS attacks are on the rise, with some industries reporting a 200% increase. Deploying firewalls, VPNs, intrusion detection systems, network segmentation, and strong Wi-Fi security all help keep attackers out. A robust perimeter makes it far harder for anyone to get a foot in the door.
Every device and application is a potential doorway for attackers. Laptops, mobile phones, IoT sensors, and cloud apps can all become entry points if not properly secured.
In fact, 61% of breaches involve stolen credentials or exploited vulnerabilities, and overlooked IoT and mobile devices provide attackers with backdoors. Using Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), enforcing vulnerability management, applying secure coding practices, using Web Application Firewalls (WAFs), and extending protections to IoT and mobile devices helps close these attack paths. Securing endpoints and applications is critical because this is where attackers often try to gain their first foothold.
Data is the lifeblood of every organisation, and attackers know it. Whether their goal is theft, ransom, or destruction, sensitive data is the primary target.
The average global cost of a data breach in 2024 was $4.45 million, and weak access controls are often exploited to move laterally and steal critical information. Encrypting data, enforcing Data Loss Prevention (DLP), implementing Identity and Access Management (IAM), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), and maintaining secure backups ensures that even if attackers get in, they cannot easily reach your most valuable assets.
People can be your greatest asset – and also your biggest vulnerability. Technology alone can’t stop every threat, and employees often form the last line of defence.
Human error is a factor in 74% of breaches, including phishing, misconfigurations, and mistakes. Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams alone cost organisations $2.9 billion globally in 2023. Regular security awareness training, phishing simulations, incident response plans, and clear policies help turn employees from a potential risk into a critical line of defence. Educated, alert staff are one of the most effective ways to strengthen resilience.
Each of these layers is strong on its own – but together they form a defence-in-depth strategy. If one layer fails, another stands ready to catch the threat. A layered approach reduces the likelihood of a successful attack and limits the damage if one occurs.
At OryxAlign, we work closely with organisations to design and implement layered cybersecurity strategies that match their unique risks and business goals.
This Cyber Security Awareness Month, ask yourself: is your business truly protected?
Speak to our team to explore how a layered approach can strengthen your cyber resilience. Visit https://www.oryxalign.com/cyber or email us at hello@oryxalign.com