Yes, software and trading firms need security awareness training and phishing tests. Your people are the front line, and most successful attacks start with a person, not a computer. Short, regular training combined with simulated phishing emails measurably reduces the chance of someone clicking the wrong link or approving a fraudulent payment, and it is increasingly expected by clients, accreditations and cyber insurers.
You can have excellent technical security and still be caught out by one convincing email. Training closes that gap. Here’s what good looks like.
1. Why it matters here
Tech firms hold valuable IP and trading firms move money, so both are attractive targets. Attackers now use convincing, personalised emails, so you cannot rely on spotting bad spelling. Training teaches people to question the request itself.
2. Training and testing together
The strongest approach pairs short training with safe, simulated phishing emails. The training builds knowledge, and the harmless tests show who is putting it into practice and where a little extra help is needed.
3. Short and regular beats long and rare
People do not remember a one-off annual session. Bite-sized training through the year, with the occasional test, keeps security front of mind without taking much time away from real work.
4. It supports your wider security and sales
Training works alongside your technical controls and is often required for Cyber Essentials and by clients and insurers. Being able to show you train your people also helps when prospects ask how you protect their data.
A real example: a team that reacts fast
We supported a technology firm serving financial trading firms where alert, well-supported staff reacted quickly to a phishing attempt, and we contained it. As one user said: “Happy with the fast reaction to spam phishing. Well done.” Trained people who flag threats fast are a real line of defence.
For a software, technology or financial trading firm, this is part of managed IT and security that usually costs about £45 to £100 per user per month, scaling with your headcount, your security needs and how much uptime the business depends on.
Why technology and trading firms choose First Stop IT
First Stop IT has supported businesses since 2002, including software and technology companies and firms that serve financial markets. We know the systems these teams depend on: secure VPN and remote access, source control and build pipelines, virtual dev and test environments, Microsoft 365 and Teams, and the security that banks and regulators expect, from multi-factor authentication and endpoint protection to application allowlisting and email security. We work with technology and trading firms in London and across Essex and Hertfordshire. Our credentials include:
- Cyber Essentials Certified
- IASME Cyber Assurance (Gold)
- NCSC Assured Service Provider (Cyber Advisor for Cyber Essentials)
- Microsoft Partner
- Crown Commercial Service Supplier (G-Cloud)
- Quality Principles Certified
We look after more than 2,000 endpoints across 50 companies, we’ve been named a Top 50 UK MSP for three years running, and we support organisations with 10 to 100 employees across Essex, Hertfordshire and London, including Harlow and Bishop’s Stortford.
Book a free IT and cyber security review
Want to turn your team into a strong line of defence? Book a free IT and cyber security review with First Stop IT and we’ll set up training that fits.