Part 2 of a series

Cyber security isn’t just about technology. IT teams can deploy the best tools, patch vulnerabilities, and monitor threats around the clock, but without a security-conscious workforce, those efforts will always be undermined. At Frame Secure, we work with our clients to ensure they have the right tools and mindset to effectively secure their operations.

Attackers know this. They don’t need to breach a firewall if they can convince an employee to hand over their credentials. They don’t need an exploit for your systems if someone with admin rights forgets to enable multi-factor authentication. Our clients have experienced firsthand how a strong security culture can prevent such threats, and we help them build this culture every day.

For IT teams, security isn’t just about infrastructure, it’s about people. The key to reducing cyber risk is a combination of technical controls, smarter training, and a culture that treats security as everyone’s responsibility. Here’s how the consulting team at Frame Secure partners with clients to make that a reality.

Automate and Improve Patch Management

Vulnerabilities are discovered daily, and attackers move fast to exploit them. If an organisation isn’t patching software quickly, it’s only a matter of time before an exposed system is breached. At Frame Secure, we work closely with clients to develop patch management strategies that are as automated as possible, reducing delays even in resource-constrained IT teams.

Best practices for patch management include:

    • Automating updates for operating systems and third-party applications.
    • Prioritising internet-facing systems and applying critical patches in the shortest timeframe possible
    • Running regular vulnerability scans to identify missing updates and incidences of config drift.
    • Testing patches in a controlled environment before deploying them to production.
    • Having a plan for legacy systems that can’t be patched—such as network segmentation or virtual patching solutions.

The goal is simple: reduce the window of opportunity for attackers. The longer a vulnerability remains unpatched, the greater the risk.

Lock Down Office Macros

Microsoft Office macros remain a top entry point for malware, especially in phishing attacks. While macros can be useful for automation, they also allow attackers to execute malicious code on a victim’s machine with little effort. Frame Secure partners with clients to implement strict macro security protocols, reducing the risk of such threats.

Key steps to securing macros include:

    • Disabling macros by default for all users.
    • Enforcing macro allowlisting, so only macros from trusted locations or signed by approved publishers can run.
    • Restricting macros entirely for high-risk users who don’t need them.
    • Educating employees on macro-based attacks, especially in phishing scenarios.

A strong security posture means making risky features opt-in, not opt-out. If macros aren’t essential, they should be disabled completely:

    • Disabling macros by default for all users.
    • Enforcing macro allowlisting, so only macros from trusted locations or signed by approved publishers can run.
    • Restricting macros entirely for high-risk users who don’t need them.
    • Educating employees on macro-based attacks, especially in phishing scenarios.

A strong security posture means making risky features opt-in, not opt-out. If macros aren’t essential, they should be disabled completely.

Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

User credentials are still the most sought-after prize for attackers. Stolen passwords can provide easy access to email accounts, VPNs, cloud services, and internal networks. At Frame Secure, we’ve helped numerous clients significantly improve their security posture by enforcing MFA across all access points, ensuring that stolen passwords alone won’t grant access.

To maximise security, MFA should be:

    • Mandatory for all privileged accounts and remote access systems.
    • Enabled for email, cloud applications, and internal portals wherever possible.
    • Configured to use phishing-resistant methods such as hardware tokens or authentication apps, rather than SMS-based codes.

MFA isn’t a silver bullet, but it significantly increases the difficulty of credential-based attacks. If IT teams aren’t enforcing it widely, they’re leaving the door open for intrusions.

Enhance Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)

Traditional antivirus software isn’t enough in modern threat landscapes. Attackers are using advanced tactics, such as fileless malware, living-off-the-land attacks, and supply chain compromises, that evade traditional signature-based detection. Frame Secure ensures that clients’ endpoints are protected with the latest EDR technologies, offering real-time monitoring and response.

A strong EDR implementation should include:

    • Automated threat detection and response, reducing the need for manual intervention.
    • Endpoint isolation capabilities, allowing infected devices to be quarantined instantly.
    • Detailed forensic logs, enabling security teams to analyse attack patterns and improve defences.
    • Integration with a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system, for centralised monitoring.

With cyber threats evolving daily, EDR is no longer optional; it’s a necessity for modern security teams.

Why Traditional Security Training Doesn’t Work

Most businesses already conduct cyber security training, but it’s often ineffective. Employees are forced through an annual compliance module, watch a dull video, answer a few quiz questions, and forget everything a week later. Frame Secure takes a different approach by providing engaging, interactive training that leaves employees better equipped to deal with real-world threats.

The best security training isn’t about memorising policies, it’s about building habits. IT teams can achieve this by making training:

    • Frequent – Short, interactive sessions throughout the year are more effective than a single annual course.
    • Hands-on – Simulated phishing attacks and real-world case studies help employees learn by doing.
    • Role-specific – Finance teams deal with different threats than software developers. Training should reflect that.
    • Reinforced by leadership – If executives don’t take security seriously, neither will employees.

One of the most effective strategies is running internal phishing simulations. These send fake phishing emails to employees, tracking who falls for them and providing instant feedback. Over time, this kind of reinforcement trains employees to recognise and report real threats.

The key isn’t just telling employees to be careful—it’s creating a system where security awareness becomes automatic.

A Strong Security Culture is Built, Not Mandated

Even with the best training, cyber security will always be seen as a burden if employees feel like it gets in the way of their jobs. At Frame Secure, we help organisations embed security into their culture by making security easy to follow and encouraging open communication.

Security needs to be part of the company’s DNA, not just an IT requirement that people try to bypass.

That means:

    • Making security easy to follow – Employees shouldn’t have to fight with complicated MFA setups or impossible password policies.
    • Encouraging open communication – If someone clicks on a phishing email, they need to feel safe reporting it immediately. Fear of punishment leads to cover-ups, which make incidents worse.
    • Recognising good security behaviour – Employees who report suspicious emails or follow best practices should be acknowledged.
    • Embedding security in onboarding – New hires should receive security training from day one, rather than as an afterthought.

Leadership plays a critical role here. If executives see security as “an IT problem” rather than a business priority, that mindset will trickle down. But when security is embedded into daily workflows, it stops being a hassle and becomes second nature.

Don’t Just Prevent Attacks—Prepare for When They Happen

No security strategy is perfect. Eventually, something will go wrong. The difference between a minor security event and a major data breach is how well-prepared an organisation is to respond. Frame Secure helps clients prepare for these inevitable events with detailed incident response plans and regular testing.

IT teams should:

    • Regularly test security controls through vulnerability scans and penetration testing.
    • Run incident response drills, simulating phishing attacks, ransomware infections, and insider threats.
    • Ensure employees know what to do in a security event. Whether it’s reporting a suspicious email or detecting an unauthorised login, employees need procedures they can fall back on.

Many organisations focus so much on preventing cyber-attacks that they forget to plan for when they succeed. Having a well-rehearsed incident response plan can mean the difference between quickly containing an attack and suffering a major financial and reputational disaster.

The Bottom Line: Cyber Security is a Team Effort

IT teams can implement the strongest security measures available, but if employees aren’t engaged in the process, attackers will always find a way in. With Frame Secure, organisations are empowered to create a culture where security is everyone’s responsibility, from the CEO to the newest hire.

A resilient organisation is one where security isn’t just about technology; it’s about people, processes, and culture. When employees see cyber security as part of their daily responsibilities, rather than an IT-mandated burden, the entire organisation becomes harder to breach.

By locking down the fundamentals, improving security awareness, fostering a culture of security-first thinking, and preparing for inevitable incidents, IT teams can turn employees from liabilities into an organisation’s first line of defence.