The main threats to cyber security for business

Almost one in three businesses suffer cyber breaches or attacks every week. What are the main threats to cyber security, and how can your business be protected?
12.07.22 Charles Griffiths

Cyber security for your business is more important than ever, but it can be hard to keep up with the latest threats.

According to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, growing numbers of businesses and charities are being targeted by cyber criminals.

Their figures show that almost one in three businesses (31%) and a quarter (26%) of charities suffer a cyber attack at least once a week.

It’s also worth noting that the trend to work from home is also increasing the risk of cyber attacks. All employees need to understand what they need to do – and why.

Threats to cyber security are becoming more sophisticated and more difficult to detect. By strengthening your cyber security practices now, you can protect your business or charity from increasingly frequent and dangerous attacks.

Web Application Penetration Testing

What are cyber security threats?

The UK cyber security landscape is constantly changing, and businesses need to be aware of the latest threats to protect themselves.

Here are some of the main threats to cyber security that businesses in the UK should be aware of:

 Phishing attacks

One of the most common threats to cyber security facing businesses today is phishing. This is where cyber criminals send out fraudulent emails or messages purporting to be from a legitimate organisation to trick people into divulging sensitive information such as login details or financial information.

 Malware attacks

Another major threat to cyber security businesses need to be aware of is malware. This is malicious software that can infect a computer system or network and cause a range of problems, including data theft or cyber-espionage.

 Insider threats

Businesses also need to be aware of the risk of insider threats. This is where employees or other internal users deliberately or unwittingly access, leak, manipulate or destroy data without permission. Such threats are becoming more common in an increasingly digital business landscape, and it is important for businesses to have strong cyber security protocols in place to mitigate against them.

Overall, the cyber security landscape for businesses in the UK can be a challenging and ever-changing environment. With careful planning and vigilance, businesses can take steps to protect themselves against these threats and keep their data secure.

What are the biggest current threats to cyber security in the UK?

One of the main threats to cyber security for businesses in the UK is cyber attacks from hackers and other malicious actors.

These can include attempts to steal sensitive data, such as financial information or customer contact details, or attempts to disrupt business operations by launching cyber-attacks that cause network outages or damage to systems.

In addition to these external threats, businesses also need to be aware of the risks posed by employees who may accidentally or deliberately leak sensitive data, or who may unintentionally introduce malware into company systems.

Another big threat to businesses is the growing use of ransomware. This is where hackers encrypt important company data and then demand a ransom in order to decrypt it. This can be extremely costly for businesses, and can also lead to data being permanently lost if the ransom is not paid.

Cyber Security Lock Screen Image

What can businesses do to protect themselves from cyber threats?

Since cyber security threats for businesses are constantly evolving, it can be difficult for enterprises to keep up with the latest trends.

However, there are some basic steps that all businesses can take to help protect themselves, such as:

  • Ensuring that all employees are aware of cyber security risks and are trained in best practices for avoiding them
  • Implementing strong cyber security policies and procedures, including measures such as regular penetration testing and conducting vulnerability assessments.
  • Using robust cyber security software solutions, such as firewalls and anti-virus software.

There’s no doubt that cyber security is an important issue for businesses of all sizes, and it is vital that companies take steps to protect themselves from the growing threat of being hit by a cyber-attack.

What are the challenges in cyber security for business?

There are many challenges businesses face when trying to improve their security. One of the biggest challenges is finding the right balance between security and convenience.

Many security measures can be inconvenient for users, which can lead to them bypassing the measures or finding ways around them. This can make it difficult for businesses to keep their systems secure.

Another challenge businesses face is keeping their systems up to date. As new threats emerge, security measures need to be updated to protect against them. This can be a serious issue because it can be difficult and expensive to keep updating systems.

Some of these challenges might be down to a lack of budget to update systems regularly, or to train staff to follow security protocols.

There’s also the issue of businesses lacking awareness of just how serious some of the cyber threats are to their operations.

This brings us on to the next major challenge that businesses face – and that is dealing with the aftermath of a security breach. If a business’s systems are breached, it can be difficult to repair the damage and restore customer trust.

That could be the most expensive challenge to overcome.

basic cyber security

What happens to a business that has its cyber security compromised?

There are a number of potential consequences that a business may face if its cyber security is compromised. These can include financial losses, reputational damage, and legal or regulatory problems. In some cases, businesses may even be forced to close down completely.

One of the most common consequences of a cyber security breach is financial loss. This can happen in a number of ways, such as through the theft of sensitive data that can be used to commit fraud, or through the disruption of business operations. In some cases, businesses may also be required to pay ransom to cyber criminals in order to regain access to their systems.

Reputational damage is another common consequence of a cyber security breach. This is because customers and clients may lose trust in a business that has been compromised, and this can lead to a loss of business. In some cases, businesses may also be required to disclose a breach to regulators, which can result in significant fines.

Also, legal or regulatory problems can also arise as a result of a cyber security breach. For example, if sensitive data is stolen and leaked, businesses may be required to comply with data protection laws. In some cases, businesses may also be liable for damages if they are found to have failed to take adequate steps to protect their systems.

cyber essentials for legal businesses

What is the biggest threat to cyber security?

While there are several different threats to cyber security for businesses, the most significant is probably malware, which includes viruses, Trojans, spyware, ransomware, and other malicious programs that can inflict serious damage on a business’s network, platforms, and data.

But that doesn’t mean that serious damage won’t be done from other common cyber security threats including phishing scams, DDoS attacks, website defacement, data breaches, and other cyber-attacks that can damage a business’s reputation and cause serious financial losses.

To protect against these cyber security threats, businesses must adopt robust cyber security measures, including:

·         Strong password policies

·         Regular system updates

·         Secure data backup and recovery protocols

·         Employee training on cyber threats

·         Implementing best practices for cyber security.

Additionally, businesses should also work with cyber security experts to ensure their systems are fully protected against the latest threats. With cyber-attacks becoming more frequent and more advanced, it is imperative that businesses take steps to strengthen their cyber security urgently.

vulnerability assessment image

What are the main threats to cyber security for businesses?

It’s important to appreciate that when it comes to cyber security your work is never done – there are new threats appearing all the time.

Businesses need to be aware of the latest cyber security threats and put in place robust defences to protect themselves.

However, it can be difficult to know where to start, or how to keep up with the latest cyber security threats in an ever-changing digital landscape.

This means having to be constantly aware of the latest cyber security threats to protect the business effectively. By staying up-to-date and implementing robust defences, businesses can minimise the risk of being impacted by a cyber attack.

The best way to protect against these threats is to have robust cyber security measures in place. This includes having a strong firewall, regular software updates and employee training on how to spot and report potential threats.

Businesses should also consider investing in cyber insurance to cover the costs of any damage or data loss that may occur as a result of a cyber-attack.

Related insights

Browse more articles from our experts and discover how to make better use of IT in your business.

Business
Law firm statistics

Law Firm Statistics (updated December 2023)

01.12.23

The legal sector is changing. Discover the trends and performance metrics shaping the sector with the latest law firm statistics, updated for December 2023. Read More

Business
Security
phishing statistics

The Latest Phishing Statistics (updated December 2023)

01.12.23

As the most common form of cyber crime, phishing affects both individuals and businesses. Find out how attack vectors and trends are developing with the latest phishing statistics. Read More

Business
Security
cyber crime statistics

The Latest Cyber Crime Statistics (updated December 2023)

01.12.23

Read the latest cyber crime statistics, updated for December 2023, and see how the threat landscape has changed in recent years. Read More