Who are the NCSC?
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is the UK’s technical authority on cyber security. The organisation’s core mission is to make the UK the safest place to live and work online.
It has recently launched the latest phase of the Cyber Aware campaign, aiming to help sole traders, micro businesses and small organisations stay safe online.
What is the Cyber Aware campaign?
The Cyber Aware campaign is the Government’s flagship cyber security campaign, bringing together expertise from the NCSC as the UK’s technical authority on cyber security, Cabinet Office, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Home Office and law enforcement partners, including City of London Police.
Why does this matter to me?
Each year millions of small businesses and organisations fall victim to unscrupulous cyber criminals, whether through hacking, ransomware or other cyber threats.
During 2022, 81% of businesses that reported an email or social media hack were small or medium businesses, and the average annual cost of a cyber attack for micro and small businesses was £3,080. This does not include the serious reputational damage and disruption that organisations also face in the wake of an attack.
The manufacturing industry is vital for supporting livelihoods and the UK economy. Advanced machinery, equipment and intellectual property enables the creation of the products that people rely on every day. It goes without saying that in this industry, its workers, and the vast amount of data it processes, need to be protected from cyber crime.
What can I do?
You can protect your organisation from a variety of cyber threats by taking two free and simple steps:
• Get a free Cyber Action Plan.
– Answer a few simple questions, and in less than five minutes, a tailored list of actions will be served to help protect your organisation.
• Use the quick and easy Check Your Cyber Security service.
– This scans internet-connected devices for common vulnerabilities to ransomware and other viruses, provides advice on how to mitigate any risks and lets you know if your browser is up to date.
Both tools are free, quick, easy to use and provide tailored feedback which flags specific weaknesses, the risk they pose and how to fix them.
For further information on NCSC advice and guidance for sole traders and small business owners please visit NCSC’s Small and Medium Organisations page and the NCSC Small Business Guide.