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Simple Steps to Strengthen your Cybersecurity in the Age of AI threats With cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, businesses must take proactive measures to protect themselves. From the rise of AI-generated phishing emails to voice cloning scams, it is critical to strengthen your digital defences. EBC Group has essential tips to reduce your vulnerability and enhance your security posture:
Minimise email dependency and watch for AI-driven phishing Email remains the most exploited tool by cybercriminals, with the dangers now amplified by AI. AI-powered phishing emails are incredibly convincing, mimicking writing styles, branding and even creating personalised attacks. To reduce risk: •
Unsubscribe from junk mail to reduce your attack surface.
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Avoid ticking unnecessary marketing boxes when signing up online.
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Use tools like Microsoft Teams for internal communication, keeping email strictly for external use.
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Additionally, be cautious of AI-driven phone scams. Voice cloning technology can create highly believable impersonations of colleagues or clients, so always verify unexpected requests through alternative channels.
Be ready for AI voice cloning scams AI voice cloning has emerged as one of the most concerning advancements in cybercrime. This technology allows cybercriminals to replicate someone's voice with alarming accuracy using just a few audio samples. Once a voice is cloned, scammers can use it in social engineering attacks, making fraudulent phone calls sound completely authentic. For instance, cybercriminals may impersonate a CEO, manager or family member to request urgent financial transfers, sensitive information or access to secure systems. Because the voice sounds genuine, victims are more likely to comply without questioning the request.
How to protect against AI voice cloning scams: •
Verify unusual requests: Always verify unexpected or high-risk requests received via phone, even if the voice sounds familiar. Use a second method of communication, such as an email or text, to confirm the identity of the caller.
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Implement callback procedures: For sensitive transactions, establish a policy that requires employees to call the person back using a known, verified phone number rather than relying on the incoming call.
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Educate your team: Train your employees to recognise the signs of voice phishing (vishing) and stay alert for unusual or urgent-sounding requests.
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Leverage multi-factor verification: Avoid relying solely on voice authentication for sensitive access. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) or secure PIN codes to confirm identity.
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Secure public voice data: Minimise the amount of voice data available online by limiting audio recordings or speeches shared publicly.
Achieve Cyber Essentials Certification Cyber Essentials certification not only provides peace of mind but also builds trust with your clients. Achieving certification is a worthwhile investment, especially when compared to the cost and stress of recovering from a cyber-attack.
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) MFA is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to bolster your defences. By requiring a second form of verification, you significantly reduce the risk of unauthorised access. •
Use apps like Microsoft Authenticator or Google Authenticator.
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Set MFA on a work device rather than a personal one, ensuring accessibility in cases of absence or turnover.
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MIRA Tech Park expands with new occupiers and new opportunities It was an incredible year for MIRA Tech Park and 2025 looks set to continue that journey for the transport R&D location on the border of Warwickshire and Leicestershire. HORIBA MIRA was awarded the King’s Award for Sustainable Development in recognition of the work they do supporting zero emission vehicle development across road transport using virtual engineering and simulation to remove carbon from the development process and investing in a sustainable location with clean energy, zero waste-to-landfill, and natural areas of habitat. They were also awarded the Wildlife Trust’s Biodiversity Benchmark and the Green Apple International Environment Gold Award for Climate Change Benefits at the close of 2024. Alongside this recognition, MIRA Tech Park forged new partnerships in clean energy - working with public and private organisations to deliver green hydrogen production on site through the 7MW solar array and 1MW electrolyser - and decarbonised heat - working with
www.cw-chamber.co.uk
Severn Trent and E.ON on a testbed for heat recovery from sewage on the Warwickshire side of the site. Further environmental projects included working with parent company HORIBA on surface water run-off from our roads and how to reduce the pollutive impact brake dust and tyre wear have on our water system.
“The opportunity to benefit from our heritage of expertise in engineering and testing for vehicle development is a real attraction for tenants alongside our ability to provide a competitive path to Net Zero from a sustainable location. We look forward to working with new partners in clean energy, decarbonised heat, water
recycling, and the circular economy as we build on our positive environmental impact over the last five years.” For the latest news on MIRA Tech Park, follow their LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/ mira-technology-park-new/
Visitors to MIRA Tech Park in 2025 will also notice a significant change as soon as they leave the A5 as 150,000 square feet of new larger footprint buildings are under construction as grow-on space for expanding tenants and new-to-UK businesses bringing new opportunities for high value employment and local supply chain. Along with this new development, the site will also shortly open a new Welcome Centre for visitors. “This latest development is a step change for us at MIRA Tech Park and we are excited to welcome new businesses here and facilitate the growth of current tenants,” said Jack Bartlett, Head of Commercial & Partnerships.
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