Worryingly, the number of small businesses targeted by cyber security threats is increasing, with 58% of UK small businesses reporting a breach or cyber-attack in the preceding 12 months (data reported by the UK Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024.)
A contributing factor is that as larger businesses increase their cyber security spending, hackers are looking for easier targets. Unfortunately, this means smaller businesses in Maidstone are now more vulnerable to cyber security threats and we can expect this trend to continue.
The answer is to prioritise cyber security measures, which may seem daunting for local, Maidstone-based businesses, however this doesn’t necessarily mean investing a lot of time and money. By becoming aware of the biggest threats, you and your team can direct your efforts towards managing the risks in cost-effective and time-efficient ways.
The landscape can change quickly, so our team of expert engineers make it their mission to stay up-to date with the latest developments in cyber security. Read on for information on the biggest cyber security risks to Maidstone businesses.
1. Phishing
This is by far the most common cyber threat, with 84% of UK businesses falling prey to phishing attacks, according to the UK Cyber Security Breach Survey 2024. This is where your employees receive fraudulent emails or texts that prompt them to enter their log-in credentials or are directed to fraudulent websites which, again, capture their log-in details. They range from obvious to highly sophisticated and may even manage to bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA).
You might like to think you won’t be taken in, but phishing attempts are becoming harder to spot all the time. Your Maidstone-based employees are as at risk of being deceived as anyone else across the country.
2. ‘Open doors’
The first thing most hackers will look for is weaknesses in your network, which could be the result of poor coding or unpatched software used by your employees. It could also result from a lapse in applying your security updates across your network. This is like leaving an open door for cyber attackers to walk right through.
When you start to think about all the many software applications we now rely on, it’s easy to see how many opportunities there are, and all it takes is one weak spot.
3. Insecure cloud systems
Misconfigured security settings on an organisation’s cloud system are an especially easy way in for hackers. If a storage account has unintentionally been left open to the public, then hackers can get in. Recent figures for the UK suggest that as many as 45% of data breaches are now cloud based (data from the IBM Cost of a Data Breach 2024 report). As more and more Maidstone businesses adopt cloud technology, the risk of a cyber security breach through a security gap in a cloud system is on the rise and can lead to costly consequences.
4. Viruses and malware
Another top threat to Maidstone businesses is malware, which includes computer viruses. When targeting a business, attackers will use malicious software to encrypt devices on your network and the data held in your systems, and make it impossible for you or your employees to access your data. The attackers then demand money in exchange for unlocking your systems and giving back access to your data.
5. Supply chain vulnerabilities
An often overlooked source of risk to your cyber security is your supply chain. With so much of our communication and data transfer happening digitally, your cyber security is now heavily dependent on the level of protection of the other businesses in your supply chain. Your suppliers pose risks in terms of third-party access to your systems; storing your data which may then be vulnerable if the supplier is attacked; phishing attacks or malware originating from suppliers.
Only 11% of businesses review the risks posed by immediate suppliers, with small businesses being less likely to review their supply chain risks than larger businesses, meaning small businesses could be an easier target for hackers.
Minimise the risks and protect your business
Heliocentrix offers a Microsoft 365 Audit to review your security and flag up any issues, contact us to find out more. We also offer IT Support in Maidstone.