Zero Trust is a crucial aspect of modern cybersecurity

Cybercrime targeting UK businesses is on the rise, and recent statistics highlight the significant growth in both the frequency and impact of these attacks. Project One expert Redwan Begh explains how a Zero Trust approach can help businesses face with rising cyber-attacks in 2025.

According to UK Government statistics, in 2023, 32% of UK businesses reported experiencing a cyberattack, with medium and large businesses seeing even higher attack rates at 59% and 69%, respectively. In 2024, these figures had grown significantly with 50% of businesses reporting some form of cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months and for medium and large businesses this figure had grown to over 70%. 

Today, businesses heavily rely on computers and digital infrastructure to store critical and confidential data, from financial records and intellectual property to sensitive customer information. However, as more valuable data is centralised and stored digitally, it also increases vulnerability to cyber threats. Data breaches, ransomware, and other cyberattacks can now target highly sensitive business information, highlighting the urgent need for strong cybersecurity measures to protect digital assets and ensure business continuity. 

As cybercriminals become more sophisticated in their tactics, it is essential for businesses to invest in the latest cybersecurity technologies and strategies to protect themselves. Businesses must adopt proactive defence strategies which can help identify and block suspicious activities before they cause harm. This article explores some of the latest cybersecurity and data privacy reinforcement strategies and how to implement a sustained and successful cybersecurity solution.   

‘Trust no one’

The Zero Trust approach to cybersecurity is a security model that operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” Unlike traditional security models that assume anything inside the network can be trusted, Zero Trust requires continuous verification of each user and device attempting to access network resources, regardless of whether they are inside or outside the network perimeter. This model includes strict access controls, real-time threat detection, and the segmentation of network resources, allowing users only minimal access to what they need for their specific tasks. 

Zero Trust is becoming popular as cyber threats evolve and organisations increasingly adopt cloud computing and remote work models. With employees and contractors accessing data from various locations and devices, the traditional network perimeter has blurred, making it more challenging to secure. 

It’s important to understand that achieving a Zero Trust infrastructure is not as simple as installing one commercially available application or some additional hardware. Zero Trust is an approach, or framework, requiring a mix of complementary technologies, protocols and products that are implemented over time. 

The modular, component-based characteristic of the Zero Trust approach often requires a range of specialised solutions that are supplied by multiple vendors. This introduces complexity in integration and management of the delivery programme. Strong programme management is the route to success. Planning, co-ordination of delivery and the ability to manage multiple, and sometimes competing, vendors is crucial to achieving a Zero Trust architecture.   

As consumers become more privacy-conscious, organisations are increasingly incorporating data protection and transparency into their core business strategies, viewing these measures not just as regulatory requirements, but as competitive advantages. In an era where data breaches and privacy violations dominate the headlines, businesses that prioritise privacy and security are gaining consumer trust and loyalty. 

Advanced encryption, data minimisation, and privacy-by-design principles are emerging as key differentiators. Encryption ensures that sensitive data is secure, even if intercepted. Companies are also embracing data minimisation, a principle that limits data collection to only what’s necessary, reducing both security risks and the likelihood of misuse. 

Privacy-friendly design, where privacy is integrated into the development process from the outset, is another growing trend. This means that privacy controls are embedded into the user experience, enabling consumers to make informed choices about how their data is used. By focusing on transparency such as clear and easy-to-understand privacy policies and consent mechanisms, businesses can empower customers to trust their data handling practices. 

As privacy regulations tighten around the world, such as the GDPR, organisations that prioritise data protection are not only staying compliant but are also differentiating themselves in a competitive market. Studies show that consumers are more likely to engage with and remain loyal to brands that demonstrate a commitment to privacy and data security​. 

In 2025 and beyond, businesses that view data protection as an integral part of their value proposition will be better positioned to thrive in a privacy-first world, where customers demand more control and transparency over their personal data.  

Unifying Security Across Distributed Environments 

Cybersecurity Mesh Architecture (CSMA) is an emerging approach that enhances and unifies cybersecurity by allowing separate security services to interoperate within a broad, distributed environment. Instead of relying on a single, centralised security perimeter, cybersecurity mesh allows organisations to implement security controls closer to the assets they are meant to protect, regardless of their physical or network location. This architecture supports the scalability, flexibility, and adaptability necessary for today’s increasingly complex IT environments, where resources are often dispersed across cloud, on-premises, and hybrid platforms. 

 Although the adoption of CSMA is in its early stages, Fortune 500 companies are leading the way in implementing this architecture. Their complex IT infrastructure and dispersed workforces, including remote employees, branch offices, and global operations, leave them open to multiple methods and routes of cyberattack infiltration. 

Many of these organisations use a wide range of security tools from different vendors and need an architecture that unifies these tools, a core advantage of cybersecurity mesh. 

Implementing a cybersecurity mesh architecture offers significant benefits but also poses a range of difficulties and challenges: 

• Multiple Systems and Vendors: Organisations typically use a mix of cybersecurity tools from different vendors. Integrating these disparate systems to work cohesively within a mesh architecture can be challenging due to varying technologies, protocols, and compatibility issues. 
• Legacy Systems: Many companies still rely on legacy infrastructure that may not support or integrate easily into a modern cybersecurity mesh. Modifying or replacing these systems to work with a mesh can be resource-intensive and require close management. 
• Need for Specialised Expertise: Cybersecurity mesh is still an emerging approach, and there is a lack of professionals with direct experience implementing and managing such architectures. Organisations may struggle to find or develop the expertise needed to deploy and maintain a mesh framework effectively. 
• Learning Curve for Existing Staff: Current IT and security teams may be accustomed to perimeter-based security models. Adopting a mesh model requires a cultural and operational shift, which can take time to learn and adapt to. 
• Cross-Border Data Compliance: For multinational companies, deploying cybersecurity mesh across regions can pose legal and compliance challenges due to differing data protection regulations.