Cyber security is essential to maintaining a successful business. The key to efficient cyber security is planning and preparation. However, research has revealed that very few companies in the UK actually put in enough time to preparing their cyber defences. Indeed, nearly half of UK firms have no cyber security strategy at all.
There seems to be a case of lack of understanding – or a failure to properly educate businesses on what they must do. While most people are aware that cyber security is important, comparatively few of them realise that they must be responsible for preventing it. A report published by the Institute of Directors (IoD) and Barclays suggests that government must help business owners towards pre-existing plans and strategies to help protect their organisations.
Not enough business leaders are currently aware of what they personally, as well as their employees, can do to help safeguard their cyber security. While respondents to the IoD survey were fully aware of the risks to mobiles and tablets, only half took steps to protect them.
Four out of 10 respondents said that they would not know who to contact in the event of a cyber attack. Equally, 73% of security experts thought that their companies would be hit by a cyber attack within 12 months, yet would not have the time or resources to combat it.
This situation can be changed. Employing trained cyber specialists is the best step. They can produce a plan of defence, and implement it throughout an organisation.
