SBD member companies take advantage of free cyber security offer

Cyber crime and fraud currently account for nearly half of all crime with 38% of all SMEs experiencing cyber attacks in the last 12 months and around 27% being attacked at least once a week, according to the DCMS’s 2021 Cyber Security Breaches Survey. 65,000 UK SME’s suffer cyber security attacks each day, of which 4,500 are successful. This means that every 19 seconds an SME is hacked successfully.

The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated this with cyber crime increasing by 600%, and with forty-four percent of UK consumers claiming they will stop spending with a business temporarily after a security breach, and 41% claiming they will never return to a business post-breach, being a victim of cyber-crime can be catastrophic for micro and small businesses.

To support these businesses in reducing their vulnerability to cyber crime, the Police DSC and BSI developed a self assessment tool aimed at helping small and micro businesses understand their risk to a cyber-attack or breach.

Digitally Aware gives businesses a clear and easy to understand picture of their cyber security profile and assists them implement simple control measures that can reduce their vulnerability to the overwhelming majority of cyber-crime.

Digitally Aware saves businesses time and money by bringing together in one place relevant guidance, standards and expert advice around basic cyber security. Digitally Aware has been designed to be the first step for micro and small businesses on their cyber security journey and is intended to increase demand for the Government’s CE and CE+ certifications.

Applicants are able to access a wide range of resources aimed specifically at the small business community and upon completion of the assessment receive tailored advice showing how they can reduce their vulnerability to cyber crime further.

Digitally Aware applicants get access to an extensive toolkit containing a wide range of resources aimed at helping micro and small businesses reduce their vulnerability to cyber-crime. This includes videos, infographics and practical ‘how-to’ guides – many of which have been developed by the police. Successful Digitally Aware applicants also receive a certificate highlighting their achievement.

Digitally Aware is free to all SBD member companies.

Michelle Kradolfer, Cyber Development Officer at the Police DSC, said: “In these unprecedented times, it is crucial that businesses take the time to review their vulnerability to common types of cyber crimes, understand their exposure to risk and put in place simple control measures to improve their own resilience.

“We are delighted to see that these businesses have taken active steps to complete and successfully obtain the Digitally Aware certificate, demonstrating to their customers, employees and stakeholders that they take their cyber security seriously. We hope that other businesses will take note of this achievement and follow in their footsteps, helping to keep UK SMEs cyber secure.”

For more information on Digitally Aware, visit https://www.policedsc.com/smes

The Police DSC is part of Police Crime Prevention Initiatives, a police-owned, not-for-profit organisation that works on behalf of the Police Service throughout the UK to deliver a wide range of crime prevention initiatives to reduce crime, as well as acting as a catalyst to bring together public and private sector organisations to create safer communities.

As well as law enforcement, the Police DSC works in partnership with industry, government and academia in support of the Government’s ambition to make the UK one of the safest places to do business online.

The Police DSC is focused on helping SMEs reduce their vulnerability to cyber-crime and fraud by raising awareness about the most common types of cyber-crime and the simple steps they can take to protect themselves. All advice and guidance is consistent with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

For more information see: www.policedsc.com