Don’t Take the Bait: How Businesses Can Protect Themselves from Phishing Attacks

Phishing continues to be one of the most common and damaging cybersecurity threats facing UK businesses. These attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, targeting not just inboxes but also human behaviour.

While no organisation is entirely immune, those that foster a culture of awareness, prevention, and open reporting are far better placed to defend themselves, and to recover quickly when incidents occur.

What is Phishing?

Phishing is a type of cybercrime where attackers impersonate legitimate organisations to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, clicking malicious links, or downloading harmful attachments.

It can appear in many forms, such as:

• Fake emails claiming to be from your bank or IT support
• Messages urging you to approve a payment or click a link immediately
• Websites that mimic login pages to steal credentials

How to safeguard your business from Phishing

Regular staff training

Ensure all team members are equipped to:

• Recognise suspicious emails and links
• Understand common tactics used by scammers (urgency, fear, impersonation)
• Know what to do if they receive a phishing attempt

Consider running regular training sessions and simulated phishing exercises to keep awareness high.
Put technical controls in place

• Use advanced email filtering and anti-virus software
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible
• Keep systems up to date with the latest patches

Promote a no-blame reporting culture

Even with the best tools in place, some phishing emails will slip through. That’s why it’s crucial to create an environment where employees feel safe and supported in reporting anything suspicious – even if they’ve clicked on something by mistake.

Make it clear that:

• Mistakes happen – early reporting is far more important than assigning blame
• Rapid response can prevent a minor issue from becoming a major breach
• Everyone has a part to play in protecting the business

Respond and learn

When an incident is reported:

• Isolate affected devices or accounts immediately
• Investigate to determine the root cause and scope
• Share findings with staff and adapt policies or training as needed

Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue – it’s a company-wide responsibility. While technology plays a vital role, people and culture are just as important. With the right training, tools, and open communication, your organisation can reduce the risk of phishing and respond quickly when incidents do occur.

Need expert support with your cybersecurity strategy?



At One IT, we help businesses across the UK stay ahead of threats with fully managed IT services and robust cyber protection.