'Nearly half' of firms have suffered a cyber attack
Around 46 per cent of British businesses have discovered at least one cyber breach or attack on their company in the past 12 months, according to a new government survey. This proportion rises by two-thirds among medium and large companies, with almost seven in ten identifying a breach or attack last year alone.
According to the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2017, the average cost of cyber attacks on large businesses last year was £20,000, with some cases leaving business owners with millions of pounds worth of damage as a result of data breaches and damage.
The survey highlighted that businesses holding electronic personal data on their customers were the most likely to be targeted by cyber criminals, with 51 per cent experiencing breaches or attacks compared to 37 per cent of businesses with no electronic personal data.
The study also found that the most common breaches experienced in the last year were fraudulent emails, such as those containing dangerous attachments or asking staff members to reveal financial information, followed by viruses or malware that target computer systems.
According to the survey, businesses are now being targeted on a daily basis, and to a larger scale. Commenting on the rise in cyber criminality, CEO of the National Cyber Security Centre Ciaran Martin suggested that businesses need to take full advantage of the guidance available on the government's National Cyber Security Centre website, which can help reduce the risk of a successful attack.
"UK businesses must treat cyber security as a top priority if they want to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the UK’s vibrant digital economy," he said.
"The majority of successful cyber attacks are not that sophisticated but can cause serious commercial damage. By getting the basic defences right, businesses of every size can protect their reputation, finances and operating capabilities."
To find out more about how you can defend your business against data breaches and attacks, visit our blog.
