Cyber Security, or lack of it, doesn’t just affect the big boys, although it’s those high-profile breaches that are making headlines, leaving smaller players grappling with the impact this might have on them.
You’re on this page, so it’s no leap of faith to assume that you have a lot of questions surrounding cyber security. What is it? How does it affect my business? What are my obligations? Where do I start?
Of course, there are also a lot of certainties.
- Nearly 50% of UK small businesses experienced a cyber-attack last year
- Only 40% of those attacked were still in business 6 months later
- And only 10% escaped with their brand and clients intact
- The average cost of an attack is nearly £4000 (incidentally a fraction of what it would cost to avoid an attack in the first place)
Strong cyber security practices protect your business and stop you becoming one of these stats
These stats are the drivers behind today’s focus on cyber security, the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. These cyber-attacks are usually aimed at accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information; extorting money from users; or interrupting normal business processes. A combination of an ever-growing number of connected devices (desktop, mobile, tablets, IoT’s) and attackers becoming more innovative means that companies need to be consistently rigorous about locking their front door (metaphorically) and keeping those robbers out in the cold where they belong.
In the very near future being cyber secure, and at the very least meeting legal obligations, won’t just protect your brand, reputation and clients, it will be necessary when pitching for business or tendering for projects. A Cyber Essential or IASME Certification stamp on noticeboards or marketing materials suddenly seems less about publicity and more about survival.
Cyber security is a process not a product
The main thing to understand is that cyber security is a process not a product. It’s a combination of a series of individual practices, revisited at regular periods that ensures maximum protection. Think device audit, patching, password management, access rights, firewalls, back-ups, staff training, disaster recovery plans and more.
If this all sounds like a DIY exercise of mass proportions, be assured that it’s not. Get in-touch with our Cyber Team (the good guys) to find out how, with our guidance, you can lock down your business.
