Why does cyber security matter to small businesses?

Cyber security is a crucial concern for all businesses, regardless of size or location. In the UK, small businesses are particularly vulnerable to cyber threats due to their limited resources and the perception that they are less likely to be targeted by hackers. However, the reality is that small businesses are often seen as easy targets by cybercriminals.

In the UK, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represent 99% of all businesses and employ around 16 million people. SMEs turnover £2 trillion every year, which is 45% of the total turnover from UK businesses. They play a key role in adding value to all sectors of the UK economy. They serve both as enablers for digital transformation and as a core element of our social fabric.

That's why all small to medium size businesses across the UK need to ensure that their software, hardware, policies and procedures are kept up to date and that staff are aware of them. If there are any weaknesses, your business becomes vulnerable. 

To show that your business takes its cybersecurity seriously, it’s time to consider Cyber Essentials. Find out why getting a Cyber Essentials certification is essential for your business.

Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed scheme that aims to help businesses improve their cybersecurity and protect themselves against online threats. The scheme provides a set of guidelines and standards that businesses can follow to ensure that they have the necessary cybersecurity measures in place.

For small to medium businesses in the UK, Cyber Essentials is particularly important because they are often targets for cybercriminals. These businesses may not have the resources to implement complex cybersecurity measures or the expertise to identify and mitigate cyber threats. As a result, they are more vulnerable to cyber attacks, such as phishing scams, malware infections, and ransomware attacks.

By achieving Cyber Essentials certification, your businesses can demonstrate to customers, suppliers, and partners that it takes cybersecurity seriously and have taken steps to protect from cyber threats. This can enhance your business reputation and provide a competitive advantage, particularly when bidding for contracts or working with larger companies that have more stringent cybersecurity requirements.

Additionally, some larger companies and government agencies require their suppliers and partners to have Cyber Essentials certification as a prerequisite for doing business with them. This means that small to medium businesses that do not have Cyber Essentials certification may miss out on potential business opportunities.

In summary, Cyber Essentials is important for small to medium businesses in the UK because it helps them improve their cybersecurity, protect themselves against online threats, and enhance their reputation and competitiveness in the marketplace.

By obtaining a Cyber Essentials certification, you’re showing your customers, vendors, and investors that you take the security of your systems and the integrity of data seriously. This is particularly important if you are storing, processing, or transferring personal information or hosting sensitive data.

Nowadays, all businesses are vulnerable to a cyberattack, so achieving Cyber Essentials is a vital step to improving your business cyber security.

ADT Systems works with small to medium-sized businesses across the UK to prepare them for Cyber Essentials. Have a chat with one of our IT specialists to learn more about the certifications and how we can help.