Due to recent events, it has never been more important for businesses in Greater Manchester to reduce their risk of unauthorised access to personal information stored on smartphones, computers and the internet.
Protecting SMEs from cyber attacks is more crucial than ever before. As workforces become far more flexible, we are seeing significant increases in cybercrime in the UK. Four in ten businesses (39%) reported having cyber security breaches or attacks in the 12 months to March 2021.
It is imperative that businesses operate at a heightened level of caution. To ensure their long-term survival, companies should learn more about what a cyber attack could look like and understand the processes they can put in place to either prevent an attack in the first instance, or minimise any damage should one occur.
What can SMEs do to protect themselves from cyber crime?
For many businesses, cyber security can often seem confusing, complex, and a task that does not easily sit with any single role in the business. Knowing which path to take, where to allocate resources and when to invest money can be a challenge.
Some clear and practical first steps for SMEs evaluating their approach to tackling cybercrime
- Cybersecurity and remote working: how to stay secure when working outside the office
- GC Business Growth Hub's blog on Cyber Security Best Practices
- Self-employment and cyber security tips
- Digital City Festival: iomart's advice on mastering the cybersecurity landscape
- Our partner, Cyber Resilience Centre: Why is a cyber aware IT support provider important for SMEs?
- A free cyber security bootcamp delivered by GC Education & Skills
(Source: Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2021)
All GC Business Growth Hub Staff undergo extensive and mandatory cyber security training on an annual training.
GC Business Growth Hub is pivotal in helping SMEs identify and benefit from the significant opportunities for SMEs presented by cyber security.
Our Innovation Service works closely in partnership with GCHQ, the National Centre for Cyber Security (NCSC) and the local Cyber Resilience Centre. We are collaborating with NCSC in raising awareness locally and encouraging the adoption of new technology via new cyber pilot projects to help raise awareness in this area.