Cybersecurity Awareness is more than an IT Issue; It’s a reputation one

By: Kevin Winfield, Managing Director

October marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month; a global call to action for organisations and individuals to enhance their digital defences. In today’s fast-moving technology landscape, its message couldn’t be more urgent as online attacks are increasing in scale, sophistication and lasting impact. Turning cybersecurity from an IR challenge inot a reputation management issue.

High profile cyberattacks on the rise 

In 2025 alone, the UK has witnessed several high-profile breaches and cyberattacks. 

• In April, Marks and Spencer fell victim to a ransomware attack that resulted in a six-week outage and an estimated 30% loss of profits; costing £300 million.

• That same month, Co Op faced a similar cyber incident when its IT network was infiltrated by hackers and resulted in disrupted supply chains, payment issues and loss of customer data. In September the retailer said the attack had cost it at least £206 million in lost sales. 

• Most recently, Jaguar Land Rover had to stop production across four countries after hackers had taken over its IT systems.

  
  

These incidents weren’t isolated attacks; instead, they were carried out by the same group of hackers that was specifically targeting retails, manufacturing and public infrastructures.  

On a global scale, ransomware remains one of the most common cyber threats; making up for 68% of all detected attacks with a company falling victim every 14 seconds. AI is also having a significant impact on the state of cybersecurity as hackers can use tools to create convincing phishing scams and find vulnerabilities to exploit.  

The hidden cost: reputational damage

While we’ve seen the financial toll these incidents can have on those affected, the reputational damage from these attacks can be even more devasting. When customer data becomes compromised, brand trust can erode very quickly. Consumers expect organisations to protect their personal information.

When this information is breached, it can demonstrate a lack of responsibility and, when combined with negative media coverage, social media backlash and public scrutiny, it can take time to rebuild trust. For businesses, this can be mean lost customers, strained stakeholder relationship and long-term brand damage that is harder to quantify beyond the initial financial losses.  

Cyber Security Awareness month: leading the conversation  

As the reputational consequences of being the victim of a cyberattack are clear, businesses need to ensure they understand how a PR strategy can play a fundamental role in driving how organisations communicate risk, accountability and resilience.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month gives businesses a unique opportunity to lead the conversation through proactive PR campaigns that can educate, build customer trust and position companies as security-focused leaders. Proactive PR campaigns can educate audiences, build trust, and position your brand as a responsible industry leader.

Here are several ways to leverage PR in your cybersecurity strategy:

1. Publish thought leadership content - Share insights on industry trends, data protection and best practices.

2. Host expert webinars - Collaborate with cybersecurity professionals to offer practical advice to customers and partners.

3. Share educational resources - Use social media to highlight security tips and showcase your commitment to online safety.

4. Empower internal communications - Educate employees on their cybersecurity responsibilities, turning them into active defenders.

   
   

Leading with awareness and action

Cybersecurity Awareness Month isnt just a calender event, its chance to reaffirm your brand's commitment to digital safey, transparency and trust. By aligning PR and cybersecurity, businesses can communicate with clarity, credibility, protect their repuation, and show genuine leadership in the face of growing cyber risk.

If your organisation needs support crafting a cybersecurity-focused PR strategy, contact The Jargon Group to learn how we can support you in leading the conversation this Cyber Awareness Month - and beyond.