Business owners are being encouraged to ‘lock the door’ on cybercriminals as the UK government rolls out a new campaign designed to give organisations practical steps to defend themselves against everyday online threats.
Running across social media, podcasts, radio and business networks, the campaign is intended to reach time-pressed small and medium sized businesses wherever they operate.
It urges firms to sign up to the government’s Cyber Essentials scheme, which outlines clear and practical actions they can take to protect themselves from the most common cyberattacks.
These steps include keeping software up to date and managing who can access accounts and data, delivering an immediate boost to their cyber-resilience. Many cyberincidents stem from these basic vulnerabilities, which Cyber Essentials is specifically designed to address.
The launch follows new data highlighting the extent of the risk to businesses. Major cyberincidents cost an average of £195,000, while half of all small businesses have experienced a cyberbreach or attack over the past year.
Baroness Lloyd, Cybersecurity Minister, said: “No business is out of reach from cybercriminals. SMEs play a vital role in our economy, and business owners work incredibly hard to build something valuable, but too many still assume cybercriminals only go after big brands. The reality is criminals look for easy opportunities, and without basic protections in place, any business of any size can become a target.
“I know smaller firms don’t have large IT teams, and that is exactly why Cyber Essentials matters. It provides a straightforward checklist to lock the door on cybercriminals, without needing specialist expertise. Cyber-risk is business risk, just like fire or theft, and the protections are just as essential.”
