New tools available to help SMEs tackle cyber security issues

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has launched new online tools for small organisations to help find and fix any cyber security issues

The NCSC unveiled the services to coincide with the latest phase of its Cyber Aware campaign, which is aiming to raise awareness of cyber security among the UK's small businesses, microbusinesses and organisations and sole traders.

With official statistics showing more than a third of small businesses suffered a cyber attack last year, the NCSC urged them to make use of their Cyber Action Plan and Check Your Cyber Security tools.

The Cyber Action Plan can be completed online in under five minutes and results in tailored advice for businesses on how they can improve their cyber security.

Check your Cyber Security – which is accessible via the Action Plan – can be used by any small organisation including schools and charities, and enables non-tech users to identify and fix cyber security issues within their businesses.

Small businesses are a common target for cyber criminals, with the government's last cyber breaches survey revealing that 32% of the UK's small businesses suffered a cyber incident over a 12-month period.

The range of attacks can vary widely, from business email compromise to denial of service and ransomware attacks.

The NCSC's new tools are the latest addition to their Active Cyber Defence programme, which helps to protect the UK from millions of cyber attacks each year. They should be used in conjunction with the NCSC's guides, including its Small Business Guide.

First published 28 March 2023