According to recent research by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport for its Cyber Breaches Survey, 39% of UK businesses reported a cyber-attack in the past year.

To help small businesses boost their defences, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has launched a cyber action plan, including a new free tool to help small businesses identify vulnerabilities in their IT systems.

The Check Your Cyber Security tool can:

• Check computers and systems for ransomware vulnerability.
• Confirm whether web browsers are up to date.
• Advise on mitigating cyber security risks.
• Provide tailored feedback on specific weaknesses and how to fix them.

More guidance from the NCSC on cyber security for small businesses can be found in their information for small and medium sized organisations and small business guide to cyber security.

 

This article reflects the position at the date of publication (17 July 2023). If you are reading this at a later date you are advised to check that that position has not changed in the time since.

We regularly publish articles on a range of tax and wider topical issues which affect employers. If you wish to subscribe to our monthly Employer Focus e-newsletter, please contact us.