Cybersecurity threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and prevalent, making it imperative for organisations to invest in robust technologies and strategies to safeguard their data and systems. In New Zealand, 89% of businesses have experienced a cybersecurity breach in the past 12 months, underscoring the need for enhanced security measures. To achieve this, we have looked to some of the top tech firms in New Zealand to shed light on the key insights and strategies they employ to build robust cybersecurity infrastructures. 1. Prioritise employee education and training A company's cybersecurity infrastructure is only as strong as its weakest link, and more often than not, this weak link is human. Employees are the first line of defence in mitigating cyber threats, and it's essential to educate and train them on how to spot and respond to potential attack vectors, such as phishing emails or malware. 2. Use multi-layered defence mechanisms Robust cybersecurity infrastructure combines several security layers to ensure that if hackers penetrate one layer, further layers provide additional protection. Antivirus software and firewalls alone are not enough. Thus, organizations should deploy other tools such as encryption, intrusion detection, multifactor authentication, and security information and event management (SIEM) solutions. 3. Implement regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing Cyber attackers are continually evolving, becoming more sophisticated and persistent in their attempts to hack into systems. Conducting regular vulnerability assessments and penetration tests can uncover potential security flaws in the infrastructure and help address them before hackers can exploit them. 4. Disseminate cybersecurity policies and guidelines Clear policies and guidelines on how employees should handle sensitive information and respond to cybersecurity incidents must be in place. These guidelines should be frequently updated as new and emerging threats present themselves. 5. Engage the services of cybersecurity experts For many organizations, it is impractical to manage in-house teams responsible for cybersecurity management. Having an independent cybersecurity partner can provide access to a wealth of cybersecurity expertise, including the latest technologies and practices. 6. Regularly back up data Regularly backing up data is one of the most effective safeguards against data loss and potential ransomware attacks. Several cloud-based backup and recovery providers can automatically back up data and enable companies to recover quickly in the event of an attack. Cybersecurity breaches are costly, and perhaps more importantly, they can damage a company's reputation, resulting in the erosion of customer trust. Building a robust cybersecurity infrastructure takes considerable effort, but it's a necessary investment for organizations seeking to protect their data and systems. By prioritising employee education, deploying multi-layered defence mechanisms, conducting regular assessments, disseminating guidelines and policies, engaging experts, and regularly backing up data, businesses can significantly enhance their cybersecurity posture.