Cyber attacks aren’t just a problem for big organisations. For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the UK, a single breach can be enough to seriously disrupt operations… or worse.
How big is the risk?
- According to the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024, around 50% of businesses reported experiencing a cyber breach or attack in the previous 12 months.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/cyber-security-breaches-survey-2024/cyber-security-breaches-survey-2024 - The most common type of attack is phishing, affecting 84% of businesses that reported a breach.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/cyber-security-breaches-survey-2024/cyber-security-breaches-survey-2024 - The average cost of the most disruptive breach or attack for small businesses is estimated at £780, while medium and large businesses reported averages of £10,830.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/cyber-security-breaches-survey-2024/cyber-security-breaches-survey-2024 - Indirect costs such as staff time, lost productivity and reputational damage often add to the overall impact.
These numbers show that cyber threats are almost inevitable for many small businesses. And the financial impact, direct or indirect, can be huge!
Common attacks on UK small businesses
Phishing
Attackers use spoofed emails, impersonation or malicious links to trick staff into giving access, sharing credentials or installing malware.
Malware, ransomware and viruses
Malware-based attacks encrypt data or lock systems until a ransom is paid. Small businesses with outdated systems or insufficient backups are especially vulnerable.
Impersonation and social engineering
Criminals often pose as suppliers, clients or internal staff, requesting payment changes, access or sensitive information.
Repeat attacks
Many small businesses experience more than one attack a year. Once attackers know a business has weak defences, they often return.
Why small businesses are especially vulnerable
Smaller organisations are often targeted because:
- They have limited IT and cybersecurity resources.
- Systems may be outdated or unpatched.
- Passwords, multi-factor authentication and access controls may be weak.
- Staff may not receive regular cyber awareness training.
- They may have limited or no backup and disaster recovery planning.
- Attackers know small businesses are less likely to detect or respond quickly.
This combination makes small businesses attractive targets and the damage can extend far beyond the initial cost.
How Echo helps protect your business
At Echo, we believe cybersecurity should be simple, scalable and achievable for every organisation, regardless of size.
- Cyber security solutions and consulting: We assess your systems, identify risks and put in place essential protection. This includes firewalls, secure access control and policy improvements.
- Email security and anti-phishing: We implement advanced email filtering and can help train your team to recognise threats.
- Backup and business continuity planning: We ensure your data is backed up securely so that you can recover quickly if you’re hit by ransomware or data loss.
- Managed IT and ongoing support: We monitor, update and support your systems so issues are caught early and handled proactively.
- Practical, affordable protection for SMBs: Our services can be tailored to small businesses that need strong protection without unnecessary complexity or cost.
Final thoughts
Cyber attacks are a growing threat to UK small businesses. With phishing, malware and impersonation on the rise and average breach costs in the hundreds or thousands of pounds, taking action is essential.
If your business hasn’t reviewed its security, implemented backups or updated its defences recently, now is the perfect time. Echo can help you strengthen your protection, reduce risk and keep your operations running smoothly.
Get in touch with Echo to discuss how we can help protect your business.