If you're using Microsoft Outlook to manage your calendar and meetings, you need to think critically about who can see what and how exposed your sensitive data might be to prying eyes.
I've seen way too many professionals leave their calendar wide open. Not just to colleagues within the office, but also to external contacts, vendors, and, in worst-case scenarios, competitors. Exposing calendar settings, meetings, or appointments, and crucial information.
Let's fix that once and for all. Follow the steps below to ensure your sharing settings are right for you.
Protecting that calendar data matters more than you might realise, whether you're managing sensitive internal meetings, confidential client appointments, personal time blocks, or project check-ins with proprietary information.
Simple.
If your calendar's not private, you're basically broadcasting your entire professional (and sometimes personal) schedule to anyone in your organisation and maybe beyond it too.
Not every meeting needs to be public. In fact, many shouldn't be.
Some might contain:
Let's not leave all that valuable information up for grabs. The consequences of calendar oversharing can range from minor embarrassment to major data breaches and competitive disadvantages.
According to recent cybersecurity reports, calendar data is increasingly becoming a target for social engineering attacks. Hackers can use your meeting patterns to determine when you're busy, who you meet with regularly, and even decipher organisational hierarchies—all valuable intelligence for crafting convincing phishing attempts.
If you're using Outlook desktop and want to lock things down, here's the comprehensive approach:
For New Appointments/Meetings:
For Existing Calendar Items:
For Multiple Items at Once:
That's it. No drama, and much better privacy with just a few clicks.
This Microsoft support guide walks you through step by step, see the details: Make an appointment or meeting private
What others will see: When you assign an item as private, other people with access to your calendar will only see that time as "Busy" without any details about the appointment title, location, or other information you've included.
The web version of Outlook (sometimes called OWA - Outlook Web App) has a slightly different interface but offers the same privacy capabilities. Follow these steps:
Creating New Private Events:
Making Existing Events Private:
Checking Privacy Status: To verify which of your events are currently set as private in the web version:
Bulk Privacy Changes (Pro Tip): The web version doesn't have as robust bulk editing as the desktop app, but you can:
This web-based approach ensures your meeting details remain confidential across devices, even when you're not at your primary computer. The privacy settings sync across all versions of Outlook you use with the same account.
Whether you're handling customer data, financial information, contracts, or simply value privacy in your communications, knowing how to properly encrypt emails is an essential skill in today's digital landscape. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about email encryption, from basic concepts to practical implementation across various platforms.
Email encryption transforms your message into secure, encoded content that only the intended recipient can decode and read. But what's actually happening behind the scenes?
According to the National Cyber Security Centre, this method uses complex mathematical algorithms to convert your message into unreadable code during transmission. When implemented correctly, even if unauthorised parties intercept the message, the contents remain indecipherable without the proper decryption keys.
It's important to understand that this doesn't hide the fact that you've sent an email - metadata like sender address, recipient, subject line, and timestamp typically remain visible. What it does is it protects the actual content of your communication, including:
For professionals handling sensitive information such as client data, financial details, contracts, or personal information, the UK Information Commissioner's Office recommends encryption as a standard security practice rather than an optional precaution.
The necessity for email encryption has grown exponentially in recent years, driven by several converging factors:
Email remains the most vulnerable communication channel for most organisations. According to the 2023 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, email-based attacks account for approximately 74% of all breaches, with business email compromise (BEC) and phishing leading the way. Using email encryption or a secure email service provides a critical layer of defense against these threats.
The regulatory landscape has shifted dramatically toward mandatory protection of sensitive information:
Failure to comply with these regulations can result in significant financial penalties. In 2023, the ICO issued over £42 million in fines, with a substantial portion related to insufficient data protection measures.
Beyond regulatory fines, the financial impact of data breaches continues to rise. IBM's Cost of a Data Breach Report found that the average cost of a data breach in the UK reached £3.7 million in 2023, with unencrypted data significantly increasing this figure. Email encryption represents a relatively low-cost preventative measure against these potential losses.
Perhaps most devastating is the long-term reputational damage that can result from exposing sensitive client or customer information. According to Deloitte's research, 87% of executives rate reputation risk as more important than other strategic risks, with data breaches among the top reputation-damaging events.
The implementation of email encryption varies across platforms. Here's how to enable it in the most commonly used email services:
Microsoft 365 users benefit from built-in encryption capabilities through Microsoft Purview Message Encryption (formerly Office 365 Message Encryption):
Microsoft 365 Business Premium, E3, or E5 plans include comprehensive encryption tools. For detailed configuration instructions, see Microsoft's official documentation.
Advanced Options: For organisations requiring heightened security, S/MIME encryption can be implemented with:
Gmail implements Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption by default, providing protection when both sender and recipient email servers support TLS. For enhanced security, Google Workspace offers additional options:
For complete implementation details, consult Google's security documentation.
Apple's Mail app supports S/MIME encryption across macOS and iOS:
The Apple Platform Security Guide provides detailed information on implementing S/MIME across Apple devices.
Ever had that gut feeling that your passwords, emails, or sensitive information might be floating around somewhere shady online? You're not paranoid. It happens a lot.
Cyber threats lurk around every corner. The headlines are filled with stories of data breaches affecting organisations from small local businesses to multinational corporations. No one is immune, and the consequences can be devastating.
Dark web activity affects businesses of all sizes, and your details could be up for grabs right now without you knowing. That's where a dark web scan comes into play, a proactive measure that could save your business from becoming another statistic.
Forget the movie clichés. The dark web is basically the internet's back alley, a hidden network requiring specialised software access. Unlike the websites you visit every day, dark web sites aren't indexed by Google or other search engines.
This anonymity creates the perfect environment for cybercriminals to operate. It's where stolen data gets bought and sold on the marketplace that functions much like eBay or Amazon, but for illegal goods and information. Think passwords, customer details, financial information, intellectual property, the lot. It's anonymous, it's hidden, and yeah, it's extremely risky for your business.
The dark web serves as a vast underground marketplace where your company's compromised data can change hands multiple times without your knowledge. Personal information, email addresses, and even phone numbers can end up on the dark web and be leveraged for various attacks against your business, from credential stuffing to sophisticated phishing schemes.
With everything online now, your business data is one of your most valuable assets. But have you ever wondered if that sensitive data is already circulating on the dark web, outside of your control?
It's a sobering thought, and not as unlikely as you might hope. Let's explore how dark web monitoring works and why it's crucial for your business security.
About 5% of UK internet users have accessed the dark web. And contrary to popular belief, it's not just isolated hackers in hoodies typing code in basements. The dark web hosts sophisticated, organizsed operations that quietly profit from stolen business data.
According to a recent report by E2E-Assure, "The dark web has evolved into a sophisticated marketplace where even non-technical criminals can purchase tools to launch devastating cyberattacks on businesses of all sizes".
The threat is growing at an alarming rate. Research shows that over 560,000 new cyber threats are discovered daily in the UK, many originating from dark web activities.
Even more alarming: Cybercrime through the dark web is costing the UK economy £27 billion annually.
Let that sink in for a moment.
If you're responsible for a business of any size, this should be a wake-up call to take proactive measures, starting with Dark Web Monitoring.
Dark Web Monitoring tools are a proactive defence strategy. Instead of waiting for a breach to occur, this service continually scans hidden corners of the internet for your sensitive information, including:
This monitoring solution provides threat intelligence by searching through dark web marketplaces, forums, and sites where cybercriminals buy and sell stolen data.
Once your data is exposed on the dark web, there's no "undo" button. The damage is done.
Without monitoring, your business becomes vulnerable to:
The financial impact can be devastating. According to recent statistics, the average cost to remedy a cyber attack for UK businesses has risen to £21,000, further straining resources, especially for smaller organisations.
Here's a concerning statistic: While 24% of dark web listings in the UK are for drugs, stolen corporate credentials and ransomware-as-a-service kits follow closely behind.
Yes, you read that correctly. Ransomware is now sold as a service, just like your favorite streaming platform.
The threat landscape is rapidly evolving. E2E-Assure notes that "over 60% of UK businesses experienced at least one data breach attempt in 2024, with credential theft being the most common vector" and "the average time between a credential leak appearing on the dark web and the first attack attempt using that credential is just 7 days".
In today's digital world, cybersecurity isn't just an IT concern; it's a business imperative. Yet many organisations don't consider their Security Operations Centre (SOC) until they experience a security incident. By then, they're already dealing with the consequences: data breaches, service disruptions, and damage to customer trust.
This guide explores why SOC matters for businesses of all sizes and how to manage this critical security function effectively.
Regardless of your company's size, if you maintain an online presence, you're a potential target for cybercriminals. They're looking for financial assets, customer data, or systems they can compromise and hold for ransom.
Effective SOC management delivers several critical benefits:
While having complete control over your security operations may seem appealing, establishing an internal SOC requires:
For many organisations, these requirements represent significant challenges in terms of both resources and expertise.
A security solution such as this offers a more accessible alternative, providing:
With a managed service, you gain comprehensive security coverage without the overhead of building and maintaining the necessary infrastructure and team.
A properly functioning SOC performs several essential activities as part of daily operations:
When security events occur, such as opening a malicious attachment, unauthorised login attempts, or suspicious processes, the SOC will:
Beyond reactive measures, SOCs also perform proactive security functions:
Security Operations Centres (SOCs) are the beating heart of modern cybersecurity defences. At Silver Lining, we take pride in our comprehensive SOC services that protect your business from emerging threats.
A Security Operations Centre is a centralised unit that deals with security issues on an organisational and technical level. It houses a team of security experts who continuously monitor your systems and networks to identify, analyse, and respond to cybersecurity incidents.
Our SOC team works 24/7 around the clock to protect your business against cyber threats. We use advanced technology and expert knowledge to keep your data safe. Think of us as your vigilant guardians, always on guard for suspicious activities that could compromise your business operations.
The modern threat landscape requires modern solutions. Our SOC combines human expertise with cutting-edge technology to create a robust defence system that adapts to new threats as they emerge.
Learn more about our comprehensive cybersecurity solutions
The global Security Operations Center (SOC) market is valued at £38.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow significantly, reaching £120.8 billion by 2037 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10%. This growth is driven by the increasing need for robust security measures, particularly for cloud environments requiring specialized threat detection and incident response capabilities.
Cyber threats don't sleep, and neither should your security. The reality of today's digital environment is that attacks can come at any time, from anywhere in the world. That's why we recognise that continuous protection is essential.
Our 24/7 monitoring ensures that your systems are always under watchful eyes. When every second counts during a security incident, having experts ready to respond immediately can make the difference between a minor issue and a major breach.
With threat intelligence built into our operations, we stay ahead of emerging risks. Our teams constantly update their knowledge based on the latest threat data, ensuring your defences remain effective against new attack methods.
Many industries face strict regulations regarding data protection, and our SOC helps ensure you meet these standards consistently. This regulatory compliance is becoming increasingly important as data protection laws become more stringent worldwide.
According to IBM, organisations with a SOC can identify and contain breaches much faster than those without, reducing the overall cost and impact of security incidents. This efficiency translates directly to your bottom line, protecting not just your data but your financial resources as well.
Discover our network security offerings
We constantly monitor your systems using advanced detection tools to spot unusual activities that might indicate a security breach. This constant vigilance means we can catch potential issues before they escalate into serious problems.
Our monitoring covers all aspects of your network, from endpoints to servers to cloud resources, eliminating blind spots where threats might otherwise hide undetected. This comprehensive coverage is essential in today's complex IT environments where threats can enter through numerous pathways.
Our experts use sophisticated tools and techniques to identify potential security incidents. We look for patterns and anomalies that could signal a threat. This isn't just about automated alerts – our human analysts provide the context and judgment needed to differentiate between false positives and genuine threats.
We employ both signature-based detection for known threats and behavioral analysis to catch previously unseen attack methods, ensuring we can identify both common and novel threats targeting your systems. This multi-layered approach provides more robust protection than any single detection method could offer.
When we uncover a threat, we act fast. Our team follows proven procedures to contain and eliminate threats before they cause serious damage. Our incident response protocols are designed to minimise the impact on your business operations while effectively neutralising the threat.
We document each incident thoroughly, creating a clear record of what happened and how it was addressed. This documentation proves valuable for both improving future responses and demonstrating due diligence to regulators or stakeholders.
We don't just react to threats – we learn from them. Our team analyses security incidents to improve our defences and prevent similar attacks in the future. This continuous improvement process ensures that our protection grows stronger over time.
By examining the root causes of security incidents, we can identify and address vulnerabilities before they're exploited again. We share these insights with you, providing recommendations for strengthening your overall security posture that extend beyond just our cyber resilience.
Explore our data protection services
In today's digital landscape, effective security management has become a critical business necessity. With cyber threats constantly evolving, businesses need strong protection strategies to safeguard their valuable data and operations.
The cyber security landscape continues to grow more dangerous as cyber threats surge at an alarming rate:
Security threats could increase dramatically without proper protection, leading to potential financial losses, damaged reputations, and operational disruption. This growing threat landscape makes robust cyber security advisable and essential for business continuity.
Modern security operations centres utilise advanced technology to identify suspicious patterns before damage occurs. The most effective systems combine AI-powered monitoring with comprehensive cybersecurity expertise to distinguish genuine threats from false alarms.
Our threat detection services include:
These measures ensure that potential threats are identified and neutralised before they can impact your business operations or compromise sensitive data.
Your security efforts must include robust network protection through:
Network security forms the foundation of your cyber defence strategy. Our security specialists conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate potential weaknesses before they can be exploited.
As more operations move to the cloud, businesses need specialised security measures for:
Ensuring board-level support for these initiatives is critical for implementing adequate security governance. Our consultants work directly with executive teams to develop comprehensive cloud security strategies aligned with business objectives.
Securing all connected devices is essential with remote work, which is now standard in many UK business models. This includes protection for:
Our endpoint protection solutions implement zero-trust verification approaches, ensuring that only authorised users and devices can access your systems and data. This multi-layered security approach significantly reduces the risk of unauthorised access.
Since 94% of malware arrives via email, comprehensive protection against phishing is crucial. Our security training includes:
Most social engineering breaches stem from human error. By educating your staff about current cyber threats, you transform your workforce from a vulnerability into your first line of defence.
Keep business applications safe with:
Our application security services help identify and remediate vulnerabilities throughout the software development lifecycle, ensuring that your business applications remain secure from development through deployment.
The Cybersecurity Industry plays a crucial role in today's connected world. With digital threats growing more sophisticated daily, businesses need expert protection against cyber threats that could compromise sensitive data and expose security flaws. According to a recent report, cybercrime costs are expected to reach £8.1 trillion annually by 2025, up from £2.3 trillion in 2015, underscoring the increasing demand for robust cybersecurity solutions.
Most organisations simply don't have the internal resources to stay ahead of evolving security risks. This is where professional cybersecurity companies step in, offering specialised knowledge and security tools to defend against attacks.
The cybersecurity battlefield is constantly shifting as attackers develop new techniques to bypass security measures. Modern cyber threats include:
Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) that remain undetected for extended periods while extracting valuable data.
Supply chain attacks target less secure elements in your business network to gain access to primary targets.
Zero-day exploits that leverage previously unknown vulnerabilities before patches become available.
Cybersecurity companies invest heavily in research to identify these evolving cyber threats before they can impact your business.
In today's fast-paced, digital landscape, businesses face the relentless challenge of staying ahead in a fiercely competitive market. The solution? Embracing a digital transformation strategy.
By integrating cutting-edge technology, businesses can redefine their operations, increase efficiency and deliver unparalleled client experiences. The journey may appear daunting, but with an expert digital transformation strategy, companies can seamlessly navigate this transition, ensuring they not only survive but thrive.
Have you considered the transformative power of digital solutions in reshaping your business and accelerating towards the future?
