Monthly Archives: February 2023

News

Cyber security expert calls on UK business to alert staff to likely rise in phishing attacks this week and ensure their multi-factor authentication is turned on

Late last week, the UK Government issued a warning that they are expecting to see a huge increase in phishing attacks on UK businesses from Russia and Iran in the coming days. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) – a part of GCHQ – has also shared some details about the techniques and tactics used by the attackers as well as mitigation advice to combat the continuing threat.

Rob Quickenden, CTO, Cisilion says. “We know that multi-factor authentication (MFA) is still poorly adopted by many businesses, yet it is the most effective method against credential stealing. We are expecting spear-phishing – which involves an attacker sending malicious links, for example via email, to specific targets in order to try to induce them to share sensitive information. If businesses are using MFA it’s the best way to stop the attackers in their tracks.

“At a minimum to ensure your business is protected, you should be doing the following eight things today…

1. Ensure your MFA is activated for all users and admins – ideally linked to Risk Based Conditional Access.

2. Ensure legacy authentication protocols are blocked.

3. Block sign-in to shared mailboxes.

4. Disable external email forwarding – vector used to compromise and steal data and should ideally be controlled by your IT department.

5. Ensure services like Azure Identity protection is enabled, Defender for Office 365 (or Cisco Mail Security if they use that) are deployed.

6. Ensure devices are compliant and updated – ideally with XDR solutions like Defender for Endpoint rather than just simple antivirus software.

7. Ensure you tell staff about the likely increase in attacks and ask them to be extra vigilant – they are your best line of defence.

8. And finally, if you are a Microsoft 365 subscriber, use “secure score” to help you adhere to basic cyber security hygiene or leverage Microsoft funded security workshops via your partner to help educate, enable and adopt what you’ve already got.

“We find many organisations use multiple products from many different vendors which doesn’t always provide a holistic, joined up and integrated approach to security. Whilst not a quick switch flick, reviewing your wider security strategy and consolidating vendors should be on your list for improving your 2023 security plans,” says Rob.

Sport

Jordan Mailata: From Bankstown to the Super Bowl

For those unfamiliar with Bankstown in south-western Sydney, it is a rugby league heartland which produces some of the most talented athletes Australia has to offer. It is also a low socio-economic region dealing with high unemployment and a considerable crime rate – making it tough for many of its gifted youth to overcome the challenges they face on a daily basis and achieve success.

However, there are a number who have come from Bankstown and accomplished some incredible things – particularly on the sporting field. One such athlete who has defied the odds and forged an amazing career is Jordan Mailata – the offensive tackle who will be suiting up for the super bowl betting odds favourites the Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl LVII at Glendale, Arizona on February 12.

Although there have been multiple Australians to ply their trade in the National Football League (NFL) over the past two decades – they have had a fraction of the impact that Jordan Mailata has. Whether it be Ben Graham, Sav Rocca or Darren Bennett, all of whom were punters – their Australian Football League (AFL) transition to the NFL seemed more of a natural change and felt far less groundbreaking than that of Mailata’s.

As many young boys do from western Sydney, particularly those with Polynesian heritage, Mailata began playing rugby league from a young age. His massive frame, footwork and superb offloading ability made him the perfect front rower from a talent perspective – and by 2015 – he had found himself in the U18s squad of the National Rugby League (NRL) side Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

After playing in the lower grades at the Bulldogs, Mailata was offered an opportunity to join the South Sydney Rabbitohs’ U20s team in 2017 – another professional club who compete in the NRL. While he showed glimpses of his undeniable talent during his time at the Rabbits – Mailata’s progression was hindered by fitness and conditioning concerns.

Rugby league continues to get faster and faster, and while his 6’8 and 166-kilogram frame made him a nightmare to tackle, the Samoan-Australian struggled at times to keep up with the free-flowing pace of play. However, as mentioned earlier, Mailata showed at times how damaging he can be, which made for a great highlight reel.

His reel garnered the attention of NFL scouts and executives, who invited Mailata to try out for their International Player Pathway Program – a program aimed at identifying talent from outside the United States. From there, the then 20-year-old impressed enough that he was asked to board a plane to Florida to attend the IMG Academy. It was in Bradenton that he was scouted by the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.

Fast-forward to later that month, and Mailata impressed once again at the NFL combine, immensely helping his stock in the lead-up to the NFL Draft. He would eventually be selected as the 233rd overall pick by the Eagles in the 2018 NFL Draft – without ever having played a single snap of football. While the growing pains were noticeable early on – Mailata’s improvement over the past two seasons has been astronomical – so much so he was named an NFL Pro Bowl alternate in 2022.

Couple that with his four-year, $64 million (USD) contract he signed in September of 2021 – and Mailata just may have paved the way for many more young Australian athletes to try their hand at becoming a professional in the NFL.

 

 

News, Sleep

Is sleep evading you? Your bedtime habits could be more important than you think

When it comes to bedtime routines, many of us may wonder how our evening activities impact the quality of our sleep – from social media and gaming to the much loved bedtime read, everything we do before bed can influence the way we sleep. To find out how various activities before bed impacted on sleep, online casino Betway conducted an experiment, asking individuals to use sleep tracking apps to monitor how well they slept after engaging in different bedtime activities.

The top 10 best activities for a good night’s sleep were found to be:

Meditation – 88% sleep quality, 12 minutes awake in the night

Doing a face mask – 90% sleep quality, 14 minutes awake in the night

Watching a comedy film – 87% sleep quality, 14 minutes awake in the night

Listening to music – 87% sleep quality, 17 minutes awake in the night

Cleaning your bedroom – 80% sleep quality, 17 minutes awake in the night

Reading a book – 76% sleep quality, 17 minutes awake in the night

Having a snack before bed – 78% sleep quality, 20 minutes awake in the night

Mobile gaming – 71% sleep quality, 20 minutes awake in the night

Scrolling through social media – 71% sleep quality, 24 minutes awake in the night

Doing a home workout – 73% sleep quality, 27 minutes awake in the night

Quality of Sleep

The study not only looked at length of sleep but quality of sleep.

For example, the study revealed that social media browsing prior to bedtime led to the least amount of deep sleep, with participants spending only 13% of their sleeping time in this stage. In contrast, meditation resulted in the most deep sleep, with an average of 38% of total sleep time spent in this stage.

Additionally, the study found that watching the news and scrolling through social media both resulted in high percentages of REM sleep, at 55% and 53% respectively, while reading a book ranked third at 51%.

The worst thing to do before bed

Somewhat unsurprisingly, the worst activity to do before bed for a quality night’s sleep is to watch a horror movie or a crime show. Participants who engaged in watching horror movies scored an average sleep score of just 65%. Although they were able to sleep for an average of seven and a half hours, they were awake for around 26 minutes during the night. Watching true crime shows also resulted in poor sleep, with an average sleep quality of 68% and 27 minutes awake in the night.

The best thing to do before bed

Meditation was found to be the best activity for a good night’s sleep, with an average sleep quality score of 88%. On average, participants slept for eight hours and four minutes and spent only 12 minutes awake during the night. This is the lowest amount spent awake of all activities analyzed. Meditating is a particularly popular method to reduce stress, which may explain why participants were very restful during the night. It’s interesting that just 30 minutes of this practice before bed has such a positive effect on our sleep quality.

The importance of self care

Self-care activities, such as doing a face mask before bed, also ranked highly in the experiment. The activity resulted in an average sleep score of 90% and participants slept for seven hours and 15 minutes, and were only awake for 14 minutes during the night.

Watching a comedy film before bed also ranked well, coming in third place with an overall score of 8.74. Respondents who watched a comedy spent just 14 minutes awake per night and their sleep quality was rated at 87%. The average amount of time spent sleeping after watching a comedy was eight hours and 11 minutes.

Rounding off the top five was cleaning your bedroom. Although some may consider this task boring, it was found to have a great effect on sleep quality. Participants who tidied their bedroom before bed reported a sleep quality of 80%, as well as just 17 minutes of restlessness.

Reducing the impact of social media and gaming on sleep

While they scored in the top ten, both with 71%, engaging with social media and gaming on devices are not ideal activities to do before sleep, because the blue light emitted by most devices can delay the release of melatonin – a natural chemical the body releases to help us sleep.  If you sit scrolling late at night and really can’t give up the habit, check your device to see if there is a filter setting to filter out the blue light (many modern devices have this).  Your eyes will thank you for this too, as there is some evidence to show it can cause oxidative damage to the eyes.

 

Overall, it seems there is a lot you can do to improve the quality of your sleep.  Will you be inspired to change your habits?

 

Apprenticeships, Finance and Banking, News, Training

New Data Highlights Increased Demand and Positive Impact of Apprenticeships

·  86% say an apprenticeship helped them find work

·  7 in 10 apprentices say the experience of an apprenticeship has helped them forge their dream career

·  Over half of over 55’s believe it’s important to learn whilst earning

 

To mark the start of National Apprenticeship Week (6th-12th Feb), the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) has conducted new research revealing that participating in an apprenticeship has had a positive impact on people’s careers with nearly 4 in 5 (83%) of apprentices surveyed say they would recommend doing an apprenticeship to others.

In fact, three-quarters (71%) of people who have studied or are currently studying an apprenticeship say the experience has enabled them to pursue their dream career. The main benefits apprentices stated were the ability of earning whilst learning (46%), as well as gaining real world experience (38%).

Research from AAT highlights that 2 in 5 (40%) of UK adults believe that school leavers should concentrate on combining learning with being paid as their main priority this year, followed by further education (22%), paid work (20%) and taking time out (7%). Moreso, over half (51%) of over 55s believe that learning whilst earning is important.

It appears the training-on-the-job schemes are not just for young people, with over a quarter of people (27%) who started an apprenticeship after the age of 25 did so to change career into a new industry, while 4 in 5 (80%) between the age of 25-34 felt that an apprenticeship catered for their learning needs better than full-time education.

In the 2022-23 financial year, AAT has so far seen a 40% rise in people starting entry level apprenticeships, showing the rapid growth and popularity of the route. The average salary of accounts/finance assistant apprenticeship Level 2 in 2022 was £16,311 which rose to £18,296 upon completion.

Anthony Clarke, Business Development Manager at AAT, commented: “It’s great to see more people embracing apprenticeships as a bridge between education and the working world. With the information we all have at our finger tips, there are more options than ever and by evaluating them, everyone can choose what is right for them – for a lot of people it’s going to be the ability to earn and learn at the same time with an apprenticeship.

“Research shows that going to university is getting more expensive all the time, and students on average will lose almost £50,000 between tuition and maintenance costs – while they could make almost £50,000 with three years on an entry level accounting apprenticeship.

“By helping to retrain and offer qualifications to work in new sectors, apprentices can also be seen as the answers for businesses to innovate and grow their own talent, so it benefits both parties.”

The research was commissioned by AAT to mark National Apprenticeship Week.

BACKGROUND AND REGIONAL INFORMATION:     

The research for AAT was carried out online by Opinion Matters between 11/01/2023 and 13/01/2023 amongst a panel resulting in 2,002 UK adults & 504 Current and Former Apprentices responding. All research conducted adheres to the MRS Codes of Conduct (2019) in the UK and ICC/ESOMAR World Research Guidelines. Opinion Matters is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office and is fully compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act (2018).

The apprenticeship salary survey was conducted by AAT and took place online between 24 October and 15 December 2022. There were 102 responses from unique organisations from England, Scotland and Wales. Contributors included 41 submissions from accountancy practices and 61 from employers in non-practice financial organisations.

New YTD EPA registrations to end of December 2022: Intermediate – Level 2: 1,063 + 306 on Previous year = 40%

The average salary of accounts/finance assistant apprenticeship level 2 was £16,311.  Completing level 2 increased that by £1,985.

About AAT 

·  AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) is the UK’s leading qualification and professional body for technical accountants and bookkeepers, and has around 130,000 members and students in over 100 countries. We have been helping people enter and develop their skills within the accounting sector for the past 40 years.

·  We offer a range of qualifications that are open to all regardless of previous education or age, such as the AAT Accounting Qualifications that provide a non-degree route into chartered accountancy, and the AAT Bookkeeping Qualifications that can support business growth through accurate and up-to-date financial records. Students encompass a wide range from school and college leavers, to older people hoping to change their career or learn the skills to run their own business.

·  An AAT Accountant is a qualified accounting professional with the practical and technical skills needed to support businesses with their accounting activities. Typical job roles of an AAT Accountant include: Financial Accountant, Commercial Analyst, Senior Finance Officer, Payroll Manager, VAT Accountant and Tax Supervisor. An AAT Accountant in the UK can sign off the accounts for small companies that meet two out of three of the criteria of turnover less than £10.2 million, total assets less than £5.1 million and less than 50 employees. Currently over half a million businesses trust AAT Accountants and AAT Bookkeepers to service their accounting requirements.

·  AAT awards around 80% of all technical qualifications in accounting in the UK, and generous exemptions are provided by many of the senior UK bodies including ACCA, CIPFA, ICAEW, CIMA and ICAS. As part of our ongoing commitment to service excellence, we’re proud to be a member of the Institute of Customer Service, the independent professional body for customer service.

·  AAT’s qualifications are internationally respected. AAT works hard to raise the profile of accounting technicians worldwide and their role in building stronger economies. Globally, in select economies, AAT plays a role in establishing, maintaining and raising professional standards of accountancy practice. See our international page for more information about options for international students.

Outdoors, Tourism, Travel

How To Book A Luxury Ski Holiday

A quick guide to booking a luxury ski holiday:

  1. Get your group together and decide on dates. Remember, the most expensive weeks with accommodation will be Christmas and new years. The most negotiable rates will be at the start and end of the season (as well as last minute bookings).

  2. Set a budget. When it comes to skiing, it’s best to know your total budget for the trip before enquiring.

  3. Decide on your ski resort. If you’re unsure which resort will suite you best, speak with a luxury ski holiday expert like The Luxury Chalet Company who will guide you on the best resort for your vacation (they know which resorts are best for all groups; family’s, beginners, corporate retreats, off piste skiing, advanced skiers, ultimate luxury getaways and special occasions).

  4. Decide on your luxury chalet. These days, anything is possible! Rental properties with hot tubs, saunas, cinema rooms, private bars and private chefs are standard. There is no limit to any other requirements for your chalet.

  5. Get your luxury chalet booked. A deposit (usually 25%) will be required to secure the property for travel dates further than 60 days. The remainder of the balance or the full amount will be required for bookings under 60 days away. A security deposit usually held on credit card will also be required. Remember, they may be options for negotiations for last minute bookings.

  6. Get your flights and transfer sorted. Private jet and helicopter transfer will always be the quickest and easiest way to arrive, however some groups like the benefits of having their car in resort.

  7. Get your custom itinerary. From heli skiing to restaurants bookings, it’s always a wise idea to have at least a rough itinerary for your holiday. A ski guide on the first day is always recommended (rough cost £500 per day per group). Your itinerary may also include lift passes on arrival and recommended ski gear rental shops as well as best mountain lunches and evening activities.

  8. Pack your bags and go! Don’t forget suncream for those blue bird days!

Make sure you’ve got winter sports insurance. With the average cost of 20,000 for on piste evacuation by heli, the bills keep adding up from there.

The Luxury Chalet Company are experts when it comes to organizing luxury ski holidays and matching clients with their dream luxury chalet. A booking with them will ensure all of your holiday is taken care of, from start to finish and everything in between.

A luxury skiing holiday is an unforgettable experience that combines the thrill of skiing with the comfort and extravagance of a five-star resort. Whether you are a seasoned skier or a beginner, a luxury skiing holiday is the perfect way to escape the daily grind and immerse yourself in the beauty of the mountains. The first aspect that sets a luxury skiing holiday apart from a regular ski trip is the quality of the accommodation. From grand chalets to opulent suites, the lodgings available in luxury ski resorts are nothing short of spectacular. They are equipped with every modern amenity you could imagine, including plush bedding, fireplaces, saunas, hot tubs, gyms, cinemas, spa areas, swimming pools, wine cellars, cigar lounges and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain landscape.

The second aspect that defines a luxury ski holiday is the level of service provided. From the moment you arrive, you are greeted by friendly and attentive staff who are always on hand to ensure that your stay is as comfortable and as enjoyable as possible. Whether you need help with your ski equipment, a recommendation for a restaurant, a massage, or a warm blanket for après ski, the staff are always happy to help.

Another defining feature of a luxury skiing holiday is the quality of the ski slopes and facilities. The best European ski resorts have well-groomed slopes that are suitable for skiers of all levels, from beginners to advanced. The slopes are also equipped with multiple gondoliers and numerous ski lifts that take you effortlessly to the top of the mountain, allowing you to spend more time skiing and less time waiting in line.

In addition to the ski slopes, luxury ski resorts also offer a variety of other activities for guests to enjoy. From snowmobiling to ice skating, there is something for everyone, regardless of age or skill level. For those who prefer to relax and be pampered, there are also on-site spas that offer a range of treatments, from hot stone massages to aromatherapy.

After a day on the slopes, a luxury ski holiday offers a variety of dining options that are sure to please even the most discerning palates. From michelin star chefs inside your own private chalet to gourmet restaurants serving exquisite local cuisine, there is something for everyone. The best ski resorts also offer après ski options, including bar crawls, live music, and dancing, for those who want to keep the party going into the night.

Finally, a luxury skiing holiday provides the opportunity to indulge in some retail therapy. From designer boutiques selling high-end clothing and accessories to quaint local shops selling handmade crafts, the ski resorts offer a wealth of shopping opportunities.

In conclusion, a luxury skiing holiday is the ultimate way to escape the stress of everyday life and immerse yourself in the beauty and excitement of the mountains. Whether you are a seasoned skier or a beginner, you are sure to have an unforgettable experience filled with luxury, comfort, and adventure. So, pack your bags, grab your skis, and head to the mountains for a holiday you will never forget!

 

Acquisitions & Partnerships, Construction, Construction News, News

New acquisition for Premier Forest Products as it continues its expansion

Leading UK timber importer Premier Forest Products has announced its latest acquisition with the purchase of Decorpanel, a highly successful, specialised panel processing business.

Based in Tyne and Wear, Decorpanel was established in 1998 by owners Ian Ling and Anthony Hopps. The business operates on a four-acre site comprising 76,000ft² of warehouse and factory space, and employing 63 staff.

Premier plans to invest in new machinery at the site to further improve productivity and capacity.  This will meet growing demand and service customers quickly and efficiently, enabling a fast turnaround of orders.

 

Terry Edgell, Co-founder and CEO of Premier Forest Products, said: “Decorpanel constitutes an excellent fit for Premier. It signifies further geographic expansion for us into the north of England, while simultaneously enhancing our processing and machining capability and capacity to meet growing customer demand.

“This acquisition is great news for our customers who will benefit from our shared expertise, and greater product range.

“We start 2023 full of ambitious growth plans and the purchase of Decorpanel stands us in good stead to reach our targets for the year.”

 

Ian Ling said: “This is great news for Decorpanel customers who will be able to access Premier’s broad portfolio of timber products. Their well-established infrastructure and network will also give us access to nationwide delivery services.

“We are looking forward to working closely with the team from Premier and are excited to see what the future holds for the business.”

 

Acuity Law provided legal counsel, Gambit Corporate Finance supported the Premier team with the deal process and structure, while Kilsby Williams accountants provided financial due diligence.

Premier Forest Group is a vertically integrated timber operation engaged in the importation, sawmilling, processing, merchanting, and wholesale distribution of timber and timber products from its 13 sites in the UK.

 

News, Recruitment, Recruitment News

Highest level of recruitment difficulties on record

A new survey by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) reveals firms are facing the highest level of recruitment difficulties on record.

The data for the BCC’s Quarterly Recruitment Outlook for Q4 2022 was drawn from a survey of more than 5,600 businesses, 92% of whom were SMEs.

Attempted recruitment in Q4 remained virtually unchanged from the previous quarter, with 61% of firms looking to find staff. Overall, over eight in ten firms (82%) attempting to recruit reported difficulties, up from 76% in Q3.

While recruitment problems persist across all sectors, the survey found that firms in the hospitality sector are most likely to face challenges when recruiting, closely followed by the manufacturing sector.

Statistics from Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid’s quarterly economic survey for the same period reported similar results for businesses in Wales.

61% of businesses in Wales attempted to recruit in Q4 and 77% of firms experienced difficulties in finding suitable staff. 61% of businesses found it most difficult to recruit skilled and manual employees, closely followed by professional and managerial staff and semi or unskilled workers.

Paul Slevin, Executive Chair of Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, said: “The findings of the BCC’s Quarterly Recruitment Outlook show that British businesses are facing the highest level of recruitment difficulties on record.

“We have consistently seen in the results of our own quarterly economic surveys that recruitment, particularly of skilled employees, is an ongoing challenge for businesses in Wales. The extremely tight labour market isn’t easing and continues to place pressure on businesses who wish to increase productivity and grow.

“Investment in training and skills development is needed so that employers can support everyone in the workplace, find new employees and respond to skills and labour gaps in their businesses.”

News, Sport, Sports Tech, Technology

Sportradar’s new solution provides tools to optimise commercial performance  

Sportradar (NASDAQ: SRAD) today announced the launch of Insight Tech Services, a suite of standalone artificial intelligence led solutions for in-house use by sportsbook operators to optimise the performance of their trading, risk management and marketing functions.

Insight Tech Services is a complement to Sportradar’s Managed Trading Services (MTS), allowing the sports technology company to support all sportsbook operators in the marketplace, regardless of their operational preference.

Sportradar’s innovative use of AI allows operators to achieve a deeper understanding of their business and their customers, along with the tools they need to drive operational efficiencies across:

  • Trading: Generates tailored betting odds, more accurate prices, and bespoke betting markets to increase sportsbook margins and enhance customer experience.
  • Risk Management: Processes an enhanced level of betting ticket information enabling operators to examine the risk associated with a specific player account, bet or sports event, limiting the financial exposure of a sportsbook operator.
  • Marketing: Automated player categorising allows operators to personalise the sports betting experience for its customers.

Paolo Personeni, Managing Director Managed Betting Services at Sportradar said: “In the hyper-competitive betting market, sportsbook operators are under pressure to improve performance and engage more deeply with their customers. By combining Sportradar’s market leading artificial intelligence and impressive depth of betting industry data, Insight Tech Services provides operators with the tools they need to manage an efficient sportsbook in-house and directly engage with bettors, delivering a service that’s tailored to the interests and preferences of individual customers.”

Insight Tech Services is the latest AI-driven solution launched by Sportradar, as the sports technology company continues to use the latest in artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to engineer the innovative products and services that address the business needs of its clients.

Finance and Banking, News

Financial experts Q on track for new growth in 2023

A leading financial services company says it is on track for new growth this year – after enjoying a highly successful 12 months in 2022.

Q Financial Services – which has offices in Wellington and Shrewsbury – is planning to open new offices in Wolverhampton in the first half of this year as it continues to expand across the region.

Q directors Steve Parry and Stuart Mackintosh said the expansion came off the back of an excellent 12 months last year in spite of the challenging economic background.

“Wolverhampton and the Black Country is an area we have had in our sights for some time and we already have a number of clients who are based in the region. The city is undergoing considerable regeneration and has a dynamism about it which fits our business profile perfectly.

“We are looking to open a new office in the city early in the year so that we can offer the full range of financial services to new and existing clients across the area.”

The pair said Q had grown year-on-year throughout its five-year life and 2022 had been no exception.

“We’ve really consolidated our position over the last 12 months as one of the region’s fastest growing financial services companies and strengthened the business with a number of new appointments and some excellent promotions from within.

“We were delighted to be shortlisted for our customer service in the Shropshire Chamber awards and also to see our partner Josh Timbrell make the nominees for a national Rising Star of the Year award.

“A central part of our philosophy is that we recognise young talent early, develop it through ongoing training and build a team which is committed to producing the very best results for our customers.

“That philosophy has served us extremely well since we launched and we are sure it will be the recipe for success in Wolverhampton too.”

For more information about Q visit https://www.qfinancialservices.co.uk/

Cybersecurity, News

Check Point Software Technologies Achieves Highest Ranking in Miercom Next Generation Firewall Benchmark Report

Check Point Software, a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions globally, today announced that its Check Point Quantum Cyber Security Platform achieved a near perfect score with a 99.7% malware block rate and 99.9% phishing prevention rate in Miercom’s Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) Security Benchmark 2023 report. The average malware block rate for tested competitors was 54.1%. Miercom, a leading independent network and security testing organization, put the industry’s top four firewalls through a series of intense malware and phishing prevention tests to rate the security efficacy of each product.

The first 24 hours of a malware campaign are the most critical. Preventing an attack at this point can immediately stop widespread damage. A security system with a higher block rate during the first day of discovery means an organization will spend less resources and energy responding to and remediating infected servers and endpoints. Check Point achieved the highest position across all key firewall tests against competitors Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, and Cisco. When put through the Zero+1 Day* Malware Test, Check Point prevented over 99.7% of new malware downloads from a large set of files and file types, surpassing all other tested vendors’ solutions.

“Miercom conducted rigorous testing to determine the strengths and weaknesses of each enterprise firewall. It is apparent that some key competitor solutions have significant gaps in their ability to prevent malware, even after the malware was known to the industry for at least three days. In some cases, they did not block the malware that they detected.” Eyal Manor, VP of Product Management at Check Point Software said. “The report validates the effectiveness of our prevention-first, collaborative approach to Cyber Security. Check Point Quantum Cyber Security Platform Titan solution and its position in the market, revolutionizes threat prevention and security management.”

Check Point Software’s performance in the competitive test earned Check Point Quantum Next-Gen Firewall Miercom’s Certified Secure Award. This is Miercom’s highest award for achievement in competitive, hands-on testing.

“Based on our test findings and observations, we can see that Check Point Quantum excels in all the security efficacy testing categories. Check Point Quantum Next-Gen Firewall was superior in advanced threat prevention and offers the best protection against the latest generation of cyberattacks including Zero+1 Day Malware Malware based on recent competitive testing,” said Rob Smithers, CEO at Miercom. “The solution demonstrated the highest detection and prevention efficacy against a blend of malicious samples, indicating well-rounded protection from multiple attack vectors. As a result, we proudly award Check Point with the Miercom Certified Secure certification in recognition of their superior competitive performance and exceptional value.”
Other Check Point highlights from the report include:

• Best Block Rate at 99.7%: In the Zero+1 Day Malware Prevent (First to Block) Results Check Point led with a 99.7% prevention rate while competitors were as low as 43%.
• Lowest False Positive Rate at 0.13%: In False Positive Malware Detection Tests, where content is falsely reported as malicious, Check Point had the highest accuracy versus competitors that were up to 2 times lower.
• Top phishing prevention at 99.9% with the lowest miss rate at .01%: In Phishing Prevention Tests, Check Point led with the lowest miss rate of 1 per 1,000. Tested competitors miss rate were over 10 times higher, with some missing as many as 720 per 1000 phishing emails.

Check Point Research has determined that the volume of global cyberattacks increased by 38% in 2022 compared to 2021. This is due to a combination of geopolitical unrest with the Russo-Ukrainian war, the increased exploitation of legitimate tools by cybercriminals and the widening cyber skills-gap leaving organizations more vulnerable. Enterprise Firewalls with advanced threat prevention offer the best protection against the latest generation of cyberattacks.