Issue 9
Welcome back to The BUG — your trusted source for the latest in cybersecurity!
In this issue, GRC Analyst, Ciara Morgan, is back with a Q4 update on the latest threats within Business Risk, Resilience, and Systemic Exposure and we share some exciting news with the launch of our new service - The ROC! Not only this, but we share latest Barrier News, along with fresh, insightful events you won’t want to miss!
Are We Actually Secure? Essential Cybersecurity Questions for Today
The question “Are we secure?” isn't optional—it’s vital. With data breaches and ransomware capable of crippling businesses in mere minutes, organisations need clarity on their cyber-defences—not only to survive, but to maintain trust with stakeholders like boards, insurers, partners, and customers.
Barrier’s SOC isn’t just a monitoring platform.
It’s a full-service, always-on cybersecurity operations centre, designed to stop threats before they become incidents.
With 24/7 threat detection, investigation, and response, we embed ourselves in your environment, acting fast, often before you even know there’s a problem.
Think of it as your own expert cyber team. Watching over your organisation.
Calm. Clear. Capable. Even at 3AM.
Learn more about Barrier's SOC here in our latest video.
The UK Cyber Threat Landscape: Business Risk, Resilience, and Systemic Exposure
The UK cyber threat landscape has experienced a shift from isolated technical incidents towards systematic business risk. During this quarter, cyber attacks were defined by the scale, impact and degree to which they disrupted essential services, supply chains and damaged public trust.
According to recent reporting, nearly half of UK businesses and almost a third of charities experienced a cyber breach or attack within the previous year, while the number of nationally significant incidents handled by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) doubled to 204 by September 2025. These indicators suggest the UK is approaching a critical inflexion point in cyber resilience.
With these rising challenges, Ciara Morgan, GRC Analyst at Barrier, discusses her thoughts on the trends that are reshaping the UK cyber threat landscape, and what organisations must do to strengthen resilience and manage risk more effectively.
The Ransomware Payment Ban: A Well-Intentioned Distraction?
In 2025, the UK government announced its proposal for a ransomware payment ban. The legislation will prohibit government-linked organisations, public bodies, schools and CNI from paying ransom demands. While welcomed by many, the move has undoubtedly sparked intense debate across the cyber community.
In this contributed piece for DIGIT.FYI, Peter Villiers, Director of Cyber Risk at Barrier Networks, argues that the UK government’s proposed ransomware payment ban risks being more symbolic than effective.
Inside The ROC!
The next evolution in advanced cyber risk assessment.
The ROC delivers continuous, real-time risk visibility by unifying your data sources and adding the context needed to prioritise and mitigate threats. It’s an intelligent platform that grows with your business.
How the ROC changes the game:
✅Your environment. Your data. Hosted within your own environment to ensure privacy, security, and full control.
✅Simplified Cyber Risk Management. Our deep cyber-risk expertise comes together in one intuitive platform.
✅From tasks to strategy. Instead of hundreds of isolated actions, the ROC groups recommendations into clear, costed initiatives complete with estimated effort, cost, and risk impact. This allows cost-benefit prioritisation and creates an actionable roadmap.
Ready to explore the ROC?
Learn more: Barrier Assure — Barrier Networks
Clickfix Pop-Ups: The Simple Tactic Fuelling a New Wave of Ransomware Attacks
In less than a year, one of the web’s most disliked chores – fielding the constant flow of pop-up messages today’s websites throw at users – has quietly turned into a source of huge anxiety for security teams across the world. Pop-ups are not new, but this particular pop-up is of a different order. This is the Clickfix pop-up, and it has earned its fearful reputation in a recent string of ransomware attacks that is rapidly turning into one of the biggest hazards faced by today’s organisations.
David Neeson, Deputy SOC Team Lead at Barrier, discusses why Clickfix is successful and how organisations can defend themselves.
The Barrier Elves Were Busy!
A team of our very own Barrier Elves headed over to Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity’s Christmas Grotto to help bring some festive magic to the children ahead of Santa’s big night.
From welcoming families into the grotto, helping Santa meet each child, handing out gifts, and even running the charity’s Christmas stall, our volunteers got fully into the festive spirit — hats, tunics, and all! A huge thank you to the team for giving their time and spreading so many smiles.
Alongside volunteering, we’re proud to share that Barrier raised and donated £140, which allowed us to buy 76 selection boxes for children spending the festive season in hospital.
BarrierCon
From insightful presentations and engaging panel discussions from our speakers James A Lang, James Burchell, Tunç GÜNERGUN and Ian McGowan, to great conversations with our guests, BarrierCon brought together industry leaders to share insights and ideas shaping the future of cybersecurity.
A special thanks again to our sponsors CrowdStrike and Fortinet for their support.
An Evening of Collaboration in Aberdeen
Thank you to everyone who joined us and our partner XONA for an excellent dinner at The Chester Hotel in Aberdeen recently.
It was great to see so many familiar faces and new connections. A special thanks to Xona for helping us bring it all together.
Until next time,
The Barrier Team