Recently highlighted in the NCSC's Weekly Threat Report, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has released the Cyber Security Breaches Survey for 2022.

Key findings show that the percentage of businesses reporting having identified a cyber attack remains at 39% (same as 2021). Phishing was the most common attack vector at 83% of attacks reported by respondents.

The average cost of a cyber attack in the last 12 months was £4,200 - with larger businesses paying out larger sums. Just under half have an insurance policy that covers cyber attacks but only 19% had a formal incident response plan suggesting that cyber security is still regarded as a cost and not an investment.

The NCSC offers advice and guidance to businesses and charities of all sizes. Larger organisations will find Cyber Security for Boards and 10 Steps to Cyber Security invaluable resources while smaller businesses and charities can use their respective guidance collections and there are training and exercising packages available. Organisations could also explore gaining Cyber Essentials certification.

Reporting

Report all Fraud and Cybercrime to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or online. Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. Report SMS scams by forwarding the original message to 7726 (spells SPAM on the keypad).