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Government urges businesses to toughen up cyber attack protections

Government urges businesses to toughen up cyber attack protections
Dan Martin
Dan MartinDan Martin Content & Events

Posted: Tue 30th Jan 2024

Businesses should prioritise cyber threats as a key risk like financial and legal challenges, the government has urged as it unveiled a new draft guidance for dealing with cyber attacks.

The code of practice on cyber governance aims to help business owners and senior leaders to shore up their defences from cyber threats. It comes as figures show almost one in three firms have suffered a cyber breach or attack in the past year, with a rise in damaging ransomware attacks and malicious actors.

Designed in partnership with industry experts, including the National Cyber Security Centre, the code calls on companies to have detailed plans in place to respond to and recover from cyber incidents. It adds that the plan should be regularly tested, with a formal system for reporting incidents in place.

The government is seeking views on the code from businesses of all sizes in a consultation that runs until 19 March.

Viscount Camrose, minister for AI and intellectual property, said:

"Cyber attacks are as damaging to organisations as financial and legal pitfalls, so it's crucial that bosses and directors take a firm grip of their organisation's cyber security regimes - protecting their customers, workforce, business operations and our wider economy.

"This new code will help them take the lead in safely navigating potential cyber threats, ensuring businesses across the country can take full advantage of the emerging technologies which are revolutionising how we work.

"It is vital the people at the heart of this issue take the lead in shaping how we can improve cyber security in every part of our economy, which is why we want to see industry and business professionals from all walks coming forward to share their views."

Relevant resources

Are you making these cyber security mistakes in your business?

Cyber security for small businesses: A basic guide

Top cyber security threats and how to tackle them

Webinar: Five reasons to update your digital security

Dan Martin
Dan MartinDan Martin Content & Events
I'm a freelance journalist and event host who helps small businesses and the organisations that support them. I'm also Enterprise Nation's news reporter and Bristol Local Leader. I have 20 years of experience as a small business journalist having interviewed hundreds of entrepreneurs from famous names like Sir Richard Branson and Deborah Meaden to the founders behind brand new start-ups. I've worked for a range of leading small business publications and support groups, most recently as head of content at Enterprise Nation where I was responsible for the prolific output of content on the company's blog and social media. I now freelance for Enterprise Nation as the website's news reporter and as the host of the Small Business sessions podcast. I'm based in Bristol where I run and host regular events with the local small business community in my role as Enterprise Nation's Local Leader for Bristol. I also have strong connections with other major business organisations in the south west region. In total, I've hosted over 100 events including conferences with an audience of hundreds for international brands like Xero and Facebook and live web chats from inside 10 Downing Street. With my partner, I co-run Lifestyle District, a lifestyle blog focused on culture, art, theatre and photography.

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