If you run a small business, you’ve probably heard the advice about putting good cyber security in place. But if your team is small, your data volumes don’t seem that significant, and your budget is stretched. Well, you might wonder if it’s really necessary. After all, wouldn’t attackers go after much bigger businesses?
Unfortunately, the data says otherwise. In fact, small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are a prime target for cyber criminals, and the risks are rising every year.
Why Small Businesses Are on the Radar
Cyber attacks are rarely personal. Most of the time, they’re automated, targeting thousands of businesses at once to look for vulnerabilities. Smaller businesses often have fewer resources to dedicate to IT security, making them more likely to have unpatched systems, weak passwords, or less robust data backup processes.
Attackers know this. They also know that small businesses often have valuable data such as customer details, payment information, and intellectual property, all of which can be sold, held for ransom, or exploited for further attacks.
Official Data on Cyber Security Breaches
The UK Government’s 2025 Cyber Security Breaches Survey found that 31% of small businesses and 60% of medium-sized businesses identified a cyber security breach or attack in the previous 12 months. While these figures are similar to previous years, the survey highlights that many incidents go undetected, meaning the real number is likely higher. Phishing remains the most common threat, followed by attacks involving impersonation and malware. Ransomware continues to pose a serious risk to organisations of all sizes.
The Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report 2024 paints an even starker picture. Over two-thirds (67%) of firms reported an increase in the number of cyber attacks compared with the previous year. For small businesses, the average number of attacks was 35 in the past 12 months, rising to 38 for slightly larger SMEs. The most common outcome of a cyber attack was financial loss due to payment diversion fraud, experienced by 58% of organisations.
Reputational damage is also a growing concern. The Hiscox report, states that six in ten organisations believe a serious breach would significantly harm their business reputation, and 64% worry they could lose customers if they do not handle data securely.
The Real Cost of Cyber Breaches
The financial impact of a cyber incident can be severe for any business, but SMEs are often the most vulnerable to long-term damage. The Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report 2024 found that the median cost of the single most significant cyber attack for small businesses was £10,830, while for medium-sized businesses it was £29,520. In many cases, these figures only reflect direct costs such as recovery, system restoration, and lost revenue, not the indirect costs like reduced productivity, legal fees, or increased insurance premiums.
The UK Government’s 2025 Cyber Security Breaches Survey also shows that the financial hit can be disproportionately high for smaller firms, with the average annual cost of all cyber security breaches for small businesses calculated at £3,650, and £10,830 for medium businesses.
Beyond the financial impact, there is the issue of reputation. According to the Hiscox report, 60% of organisations believe a serious cyber security breach would significantly damage their brand, and more than six in ten fear it would result in the loss of customers.
Common SME Cyber Threats
Based on what we see when working with clients across Bristol and the South West, these are some of the most frequent risks small businesses face:
- Phishing emails – fraudulent messages that trick staff into revealing sensitive information or clicking malicious links
- Weak or reused passwords – making it easy for attackers to access multiple accounts
- Unpatched software – leaving known vulnerabilities open to exploitation
- Poor backup practices – meaning data can be permanently lost in the event of an attack
- Insufficient staff training – resulting in employees being unaware of how to spot and respond to threats
Cyber Essentials Certification as a Starting Point
For UK SMEs, the Cyber Essentials certification is an excellent way to establish a baseline level of protection. This government-backed scheme covers the five key technical controls most likely to prevent common attacks.
It is affordable, recognised, and increasingly a requirement for working with certain clients, particularly in the public sector. Businesses looking for a more robust standard can go one step further with Cyber Essentials Plus, which includes independent testing of your systems.
You can find out more about the scheme on the NCSC’s Cyber Essentials page and more information about how Dialageek can help get your business certified and fully data compliant here.
Why “We’re Too Small” Doesn’t Work as an Excuse
The idea that cyber criminals only target large organisations is outdated. Automated tools mean attackers can scan thousands of websites, networks, and email systems in minutes, looking for weaknesses. If your business has a weakness, it is just as likely to be targeted as a multinational corporation.
Unlike large organisations, smaller businesses may not have the financial cushion or specialist teams to bounce back quickly from a serious breach. That is why prevention is often far more cost-effective than recovery.
Practical Steps to Improve SME Cyber Security
Good cyber security for a small business does not have to be complicated or expensive. Here are some immediate steps you can take:
- Use a password manager and enforce strong, unique passwords for all accounts
- Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible
- Keep all systems and software up to date with security patches
- Provide regular cyber security awareness training for all staff
- Set up reliable, automatic, offsite backups of critical data
- Review cloud storage permissions and sharing settings regularly
For many businesses, partnering with a managed IT service provider can make these steps easier to implement and maintain without needing in-house technical expertise.
Cyber Security for Businesses In Bristol and The South West
The evidence is clear: small businesses need cyber security . The risks are real, the costs of an incident can be severe, and attackers are actively looking for vulnerabilities in businesses of all sizes.
By putting basic protections in place, getting certified where possible, and building awareness among your team, you can significantly reduce your risk. And if you are not sure where to start, that is exactly what we are here for.
Need help improving your cyber security?
Book a free consultation with Dial A Geek, and we will assess your current setup, identify gaps, and help you put affordable, effective defences in place.
Call us on 0117 369 4335 or contact us here.
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