One dodgy click is enough: Plymouth firms “leave doors open” to cyber attacks
Hackers are actively targeting Plymouth business owners, who are effectively “leaving their doors open to criminals” according to a local cyber security expert.
Martin Limburn of local firm Limbtec says barely a day goes by without his team helping a business that’s been hacked.
“Far too many local business owners have no idea just how big, fast and aggressive cyber crime is,” he said.
“To use a real world analogy, they are leaving their home’s front doors wide open while hundreds of burglars walk past.
“It really does take just one click on a dodgy link to leave an entire business’s IT setup open to hackers. Increasingly, the hackers prefer to do no immediate damage. And instead wait for an opportunity to cause maximum damage, or steal thousands.”
A recent cyber readiness report by Hiscox insurance revealed:
- The proportion of small companies (50 employees or less) reporting a cyber attack is up from 33% to 47%
- The average loss is £283,000
- Nearly three quarters of businesses are considered unprepared for a cyber attack
Martin added: “The only way to be prepared for a cyber attack is to Predict – Plan – Protect.
“This is a systemised way for a cyber security expert to assess a business’s vulnerability, and dramatically minimise the chance of an attack succeeding,”
Limbtec was formed in 2002, and now looks after hundreds of local businesses in the Plymouth area.
