We're absolutely delighted to share that Raeburn Training has been named Small Business of the Year at The Courier Business Awards 2025!

This incredible recognition highlights our team’s continued hard work, innovation, and commitment to excellence. We couldn’t be prouder of how far we’ve come and of the dedication shown by every member of our team. It’s been six years of steady growth, challenges, and achievements- and moments like this remind us just how much can be accomplished through teamwork and determination.

We were also thrilled to be finalists in the Growth Award category, which means a great deal to us. Being recognised not only for what we’ve achieved so far, but also for our ongoing development and ambition, makes this award even more special.

A huge thank you goes out to our fantastic team, our loyal customers, and the event organisers for celebrating and supporting local business success across the region.

We’re excited for what the future holds as we continue to grow, collaborate, and make a positive impact in the industries and communities we serve. Here’s to many more milestones ahead!

Welcome back to our Cyber Security Awareness Month series! In our first blog, we explored why cybersecurity is crucial for every business, from legal obligations to real-world incidents in the UK. Now that we understand why cybersecurity matters, it’s time to focus on what we’re protecting against: the various cyber threats that can impact organisations like yours. 

Cyber threats are evolving constantly. They don’t just affect big tech companies- they target businesses of all sizes, including small enterprises, charities, and financial institutions. Understanding the types of threats, where they appear, and how they work is the first step in staying safe. 

Common Cyber Threats Explained

1.Phishing

Phishing is one of the most common and effective cyberattacks. Attackers send emails, text messages, or social media messages that appear to come from legitimate sources, like banks, suppliers, or government agencies. The goal is to trick recipients into sharing sensitive information, such as login credentials, bank details, or personal data. 

Example: An employer receives an email that looks like it's from HMRC, warning of overdue taxes, and asking them to log in via a link. Clicking the link and entering login details gives the attacker access to the organisation's systems. 

Red flags: urgent language, unexpected attachments, suspicious links, poor grammar, or unfamiliar sender addresses. 

2. Malware

Malware, short for “malicious software,” is software designed to harm, disrupt, or spy on computers and networks. There are many types of malware: 

• Viruses- replicate themselves and infect files or programs. 
• Trojans- disguise themselves as legitimate software but carry a harmful payload. 
• Spyware- secretly monitors activity, like keystrokes or browsing habits.

Malware can be delivered through email attachments, downloads, or infected websites. Once installed, it can slow systems, steal data, or provide remote access to attackers. 

3. Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware that locks files or systems until a ransom is paid, usually in cryptocurrency. As we saw in Blog 1, ransomware can cripple organisations, cause lost revenue, and damage trust. 

UK examples: 

• In 2023, Royal Mail’s operations were disrupted for weeks after a LockBit ransomware attack, costing the company an estimated £10 million. 
• In 2025, Marks & Spencer faced a ransomware incident affecting online orders and click-and-collect, with estimated losses of £300 million. 

Even if you don't pay the ransom, the downtime and recovering costs alone can be devastating.  

4. Data Breaches

A data breach occurs when sensitive information is accessed or disclosed without permission. This could be personal data, financial records, or internal company information. Breaches can happen due to hacking, human error, or lost devices. 

Example: In 2024, a Scottish nursery suffered a data breach after employees were tricked by phishing emails, exposing children’s and parent’s personal information. 

Data breaches can lead to reputational damage, regulatory fines, and loss of client trust. For training providers, safeguarding learner and staff information is critical. 

5. Social Engineering

Social engineering exploits human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities. Attackers manipulate people into revealing information or performing actions that compromise security.  

Examples include: 

• Impersonating a senior manager and requesting a bank transfer. 
• Convincing staff to install software or click malicious links. 

The most common tools are emails, phone calls, or in-person tactics. Social engineering often works hand-in-hand with phishing or malware attacks. 

6. Insider Threats 

Not all cyber threats come from outside. Insider threats originate from employees, contractors, or partners. These threats may be intentional (malicious insiders stealing data) or accidental (staff clicking a phishing link or misconfiguring a system). 

Example: a staff member accidentally uploads sensitive learner records to a shared public folder. Even though no hacker was involved, the data is now exposed. 

7. Supply Chain Attacks

Supply chain attacks occur when attackers compromise third-party vendors or service providers to gain access to their clients. This is increasingly common as businesses rely on multiple external services. 

Example: The Marks & Spencer's ransomware attack in 2025 began through a third-party contractor, highlighting the need to assess and secure not just your systems but also those of your suppliers. 

Where You Might Encounter These Threats

Understanding where threats might appear can help you recognise and prevent them. Common attacks vectors include: 

• Email inboxes: Phishing emails and malware attachments are most common. 
• Public Wi-Fi: Unsecured networks can expose sensitive data during transmission. 
• Third-party software: Vendors or cloud services may be exploited to access your systems. 
• Devices: Laptops, USB drives, or personal devices can be infected if not properly secured. 
• Social media: Scammers may impersonate colleagues or companies to extract information. 

Cybercriminals look for the weakest link, which is often human behaviour, so awareness and vigilance are key. 

The Real Impacts of Cyber Threats

Even a single incident can have significant operational, financial, and reputational consequences: 

• Operational: Systems can be shut down, causing delays, missed deadlines, or service interruptions. 
• Financial: Recovering, fines, and lost revenue can quickly escalate, as shown by Royal Mail (£10 million) and M&S (£300 million). 
• Reputational: Customers and partners may lose trust, impacting long-term relationships. 
• Regulatory: Non- compliance with GDPR or industry standards can result in penalties and investigations. 

Cyber security isn't just an IT issue- it affects every aspect of business operations. For training providers and other service-based organisations, protecting learner, staff, and client data is as important as safeguarding physical health and safety. 

How to Stay Alert

Knowing the threats is only the first step. You also need to recognise warning signs and act promptly: 

• Emails or messages that demand urgent action or seem unusual. 
• Unexpected attachments or links in messages. 
• Requests for sensitive information from unknown or suspicious sources. 
• Software prompts or pop-ups asking for admin access without explanation. 
• Unusual system behaviour, like slow performance or unexpected shutdowns. 

Practical steps: 

1. Verify senders before responding to unexpected messages. 
2. Hover over links to check URLs before clicking. 
3. Report suspicious emails or activity to IT or your security contact. 
4. Keep software updated and use antivirus programs. 
5. Educate your staff and colleagues regularly- humans are your first line of defence. 

Preparing Your Organisation

Cyber threats are inevitable, but preparation makes a huge difference. By understanding the types of threats and knowing how to spot them, businesses can: 

• Minimise the risk of breaches. 
• Reduce the impact of successful attacks. 
• Protect sensitive data and maintain trust with clients and learners. 

Remember, cybersecurity is not just a technical challenge; it's part of a safety culture, similar to fire drills or first aid. Awareness, vigilance, and training are critical to building resilience. 

Looking Ahead

In our next blog, we’ll focus on practical steps to protect your organisation. Well introduce the 5 Cs of Cybersecurity, explore good cyber hygiene, and provide tips for building strong defences. 

By combining awareness of threats (Blog 2) with understanding why security matters (Blog 1), you’ll be better equipped to keep your systems, staff, and learners safe.