EXETER, UK. February 9th, 2026 – HDUK, a UK based managed IT support provider, is urging businesses to treat cyber security as an ongoing operating model, not a one-time purchase.
Recent guidance and enforcement have underlined the practical expectations on UK organisations. The UK Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey continues to show phishing as the most common type of breach, and often the most disruptive.
Separately, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) makes it clear that organisations should be able to restore the availability and access to personal data in a timely manner after an incident.
Matt Healey, Managing Director at HDUK, said: “As organisations head into 2026, the risk to business data is not just about cyber criminals getting smarter. It is also about businesses running critical systems on ageing hardware, relying on ad hoc support, and assuming that off the shelf tools will be enough to keep client data safe.
“Keeping devices and infrastructure current, tightening access, improving backup and recovery, and having a clear incident response plan with expert support ready really matters.”
HDUK warns that running out of date operating systems poses a threat to security.
“Running unsupported operating systems and ageing devices increases exposure, because security updates stop and compatibility gaps grow. For example, Windows 10 reached end of support in October 2025, meaning devices still running it in 2026 will not receive security fixes unless covered by specific extended programmes,” Matt added.
“Backups only matter if ransomware can’t get to them. We see attackers deliberately targeting recovery options, which is why organisations need segregated, ransomware-resistant backups that are regularly tested and ready to use under pressure, in line with NCSC guidance.
“Incident response should be treated as a business process. When something goes wrong, clear roles, rehearsed actions, and fast decisions around containment, communication, and regulatory reporting make the difference.
“Breaches happen when identity, devices, patching, monitoring, and user behaviour aren’t joined up. Real resilience comes from layered, actively managed security, not standalone products.”
HDUK advises that IT support usually sits on a spectrum, from core support through to managed security and 24/7 monitoring. Businesses are advised to match the level of service to the real risk profile, not defaulting to self-service or assuming a single product will cover every scenario.
Matt Healey said: “2026 will be the year many businesses feel the true cost of standing still. Unsupported devices, untested backups, and unclear responsibility during an incident are the cracks attackers look for.
“The answer is not panic buying more tools. It is getting the fundamentals right, keeping hardware current, and having a UK based team that can respond quickly, document properly, and help you stay compliant while keeping your people productive.”
ENDS