UK directors ‘recognise importance’ of cyber security

UK directors ‘recognise importance’ of cyber security is available on Nimbus Computer Services

For a large majority of businesses, the internet is a hugely important tool. Having a web presence such as a website or digital marketing is no longer simply a nice-to-have for many firms, but an absolute necessity. While being online can bring many benefits to firms, it is an unfortunate truth that it does also open many businesses up to potential threats. Sadly, in the past, a number of organisations have suffered significant consequences from failing to take the issue seriously. Fortunately, new research has suggested that many large UK businesses now understand the issue better than ever before. The survey by consultancy ComRes asked 200 board directors from UK companies with more than 500 employees to give their views on the importance of cyber security. The study found overwhelmingly that businesses recognise the role cyber security plays in their organisations, with 71 per cent of directors even going so far as to suggest companies should be penalised for failing to meet basic requirements.

Furthermore, 77 per cent also said regulators should act tough on companies found not to have proper defences in place. Half of respondents also said they viewed cyber threats as a bigger risk to their organisation than other issues, such as market volatility. However, despite this sentiment in favour of security, many directors did admit to not reading up on government resources created to help businesses to prevent cyber attacks, including the Cyber Essentials and Cyber Streetwise campaigns. So what can we take from this? Well, it is clear that the message on the importance of cyber security is getting through to businesses more than ever. Indeed, it is hard for it to be ignored when even part of the first US presidential debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton was related to the issue. However, as ever, there remains work to be done to ensure companies of all sizes are properly protected. While larger companies may have in-house IT teams with expertise in the area, it is vital that small and medium-sized businesses seek advice on ensuring that their online and IT systems are robust and safe from potential risks.         Computer Security - Padlock by perspec_photo88 licensed under Creative commons 5