Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the economy, yet they face an increasing array of cybersecurity threats. As businesses embrace digital transformation and rely more heavily on technology, their vulnerability to cyber attacks grows. According to the UK Government’s 2024 Cyber Security Breaches Survey, half of all businesses and 32% of charities reported experiencing a cyber attack in the past year. These breaches range from phishing scams to more sophisticated attacks, such as malware infections and network intrusions.
For SMEs, a cyber attack can be devastating, leading to financial loss, operational disruption, and reputational damage. The average cost of a breach is £5,000, with two-thirds of SMEs reporting financial losses. More than just a financial burden, a breach can lead to lost productivity, compromised customer trust, and a damaged brand.
Common cybersecurity threats
Phishing remains the most prevalent type of attack, with 84% of businesses affected. Phishing emails often masquerade as legitimate communication, tricking employees into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or financial details. Impersonation attacks are also on the rise, with 35% of businesses reporting cases where attackers posed as trusted contacts or organisations. Malware, including viruses and ransomware, was reported by 17% of businesses, disrupting operations and stealing data.
These types of attacks can wreak havoc on SMEs, leading to data loss, disrupted operations, and fines for failing to comply with data protection regulations such as GDPR. Yet, many SMEs are underprepared for the scale and sophistication of modern cyber threats. Fortunately, there are steps that can be taken to mitigate these risks.
Protecting your business
A robust cybersecurity strategy is essential for safeguarding your business. While large enterprises often have dedicated teams and resources for cyber security, SMEs can also implement effective measures tailored to their needs and budgets. Here are some key strategies to consider:
1. Employee education and training
Human error is one of the leading causes of cyber incidents. Employees may inadvertently click on a malicious link or download malware, exposing your business to threats. Regular education and training are essential to help your staff recognise phishing attempts, create strong passwords, and understand the importance of keeping software up to date.
Effective training should include simulated phishing exercises to test employees’ ability to spot suspicious emails and awareness campaigns on the dangers of sharing sensitive information. Ensuring that employees understand the importance of security hygiene can go a long way in preventing breaches.
2. Network security measures
The security of your business network is paramount. Implementing strong firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and encrypted Wi-Fi networks can help prevent external threats from gaining access to your internal systems. Ensure that your routers, switches, and wireless networks are secure by regularly updating firmware and using strong, unique passwords.
Firewall solutions should be configured to block unauthorised access and prevent malware from spreading across your network. Additionally, network segmentation can help limit the damage in case of a breach by isolating sensitive data from other parts of the network.
3. Regular data backups
Data loss is one of the most significant consequences of a cyber attack, especially if your business is targeted by ransomware. Regularly backing up critical business data ensures that, in the event of a breach, you can restore lost files without paying a ransom. Implementing both onsite and offsite backups, as well as cloud-based solutions, offers additional layers of protection.
Automated backup systems that run daily can ensure that your data is always up to date. Encryption of backup data is also essential to ensure that it cannot be tampered with or stolen during the backup process.
4. Regular security assessments and software updates
Cybersecurity threats evolve rapidly. Conducting regular security assessments can help you identify vulnerabilities before they are exploited. Engaging a third-party provider for penetration testing or vulnerability scanning can reveal weaknesses that may have gone unnoticed.
Keeping all systems, applications, and devices up to date is critical for reducing your exposure to known vulnerabilities. Unpatched software is one of the leading causes of cyber attacks. Implementing a patch management policy ensures that updates are applied promptly to all parts of your IT infrastructure.
5. Outsourcing cybersecurity
Many SMEs lack the resources or in-house expertise to manage complex cybersecurity needs. Outsourcing to a professional security provider can ensure comprehensive protection. Managed security services provide around-the-clock monitoring, advanced threat detection, and expert incident response, all without the need to build a full-time internal team.
Glide’s cybersecurity solution offers SMEs a fully managed service that combines market-leading security technology with our national networking connectivity services. This allows your business to focus on growth while we protect your IT environment.
Glide's integrated security solution
At Glide, we understand the unique challenges faced by SMEs when it comes to protecting mission-critical data. Our cybersecurity solution converges advanced security technologies with our national fibre network to safeguard your business across a hybrid IT infrastructure, all while maintaining an optimal user experience.
Our solution provides a unified framework for coordinated and automated threat protection, eliminating the need for multiple, disjointed security point-products. This simplification improves your network’s efficiency while protecting your infrastructure from cyber attacks. With high availability across network resources, we help you achieve a stronger security posture and improved productivity.
Our next-generation firewall and Unified Threat Protection (UTP) bundle are at the heart of our offering. The UTP includes key features such as:
- Application control: Block or restrict access to unauthorised applications, ensuring compliance and enhancing security.
- Intrusion prevention: Detect, prevent, and block network-based attacks like Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) by scanning the network for malicious activity.
- Antivirus: Protect against the latest viruses and spyware using advanced detection techniques, including deep packet inspection.
- URL filtering: Guard against web-based threats, blocking access to malicious domains and sites.
- SSL VPN: Secure remote access to your network from anywhere with our client-based VPN solution.
- IPSec VPN: Establish secure connections between your remote offices and corporate network with a site-to-site VPN.
The firewall can be managed either through hardware hosted in our data centre or deployed on your premises. Both options come with premium support and UTP, ensuring that your business is protected 24/7.
Glide’s solution offers businesses like yours:
- Market-leading technology: Partnering with top security vendors to deliver the best protection for your business.
- Converged connectivity and security: Our unified solution covers your office, data centre, and remote users, integrating seamlessly with Glide’s national fibre network.
- Centralised management: Coordinate your entire security environment under a single management framework, with deep visibility into applications, users, and devices.
- Tailored managed service: Every business has unique security needs. At Glide, we build a solution that fits your requirements and provide ongoing support from our technical experts.
By integrating connectivity and security, Glide helps SMEs protect what matters most, while driving business growth. For more information, contact us today to find out how we can safeguard your business.
