Government boosts support to SME's to address rising Cyber threats
The Information Security Breaches Survey, commissioned by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), reveals that the number of cyber attacks hitting businesses has increased over the last year. It showed 87% of small firms experienced a security breach last year - up 10% - and 93% of large organisations had also been targeted and found some attacks caused more than £1 million of damage.
To help defend against these attacks the government has extended a scheme to allow small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to bid for up to £5,000 to improve their cyber security.
BIS is also publishing a guide to help small businesses improve their cyber security and make it part of their business risk management process.
Universities and Science Minister David Willetts said:
"Keeping electronic information safe and secure is vital to a business’s bottom line."
"Companies are more at risk than ever of having their cyber security compromised, in particular small businesses, and no sector is immune from attack. But there are simple steps that can be taken to prevent the majority of incidents."
"The package of support we are announcing today will help small businesses protect valuable assets like financial information, websites, equipment, software and intellectual property, driving growth and keeping UK businesses ahead in the global race."
The research also showed that Cyber attacks were on the rise:
- 87% of small firms - up 10% - experienced a security breach last year. 93% of large organisations were also targeted.
- Affected companies experienced around 50% more attacks on average than a year ago
- The average cost of the worst security breach for small organisations was £35,000 to £65,000
- The average cost for large organisations was between £450,000 and £850,000
- The median number of breaches suffered was 113 for a large organisation and 17 for a small business
- Several individual breaches cost more than £1 million
- 78% of large organisations were attacked by an unauthorised outsider (up from 73% a year ago) and 63% of small businesses (up from 41 per cent a year ago)
- 81% of respondents reported that senior management had not been able to put in place effective security, even though it was classed a high priority
- 84% of large businesses report staff-related cyber breaches (the highest figure ever recorded) and 57% of small businesses (up from 48 per cent a year ago)
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The courses are aimed at all levels, from young people through to existing employees, and represent an excellent opportunity to develop skills in the IA arena.