66% of UK businesses hit by cyber breach in last 12 months

Summary: Almost seven in ten UK firms were affected by a cyber breach over the last 12 months, according to new figures.

Two-thirds (66 per cent) of mid-sized businesses in the UK have been subject to a cyber attack over the past 12 months, new figures reveal.

The Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2017 compiled by the UK government found that almost seven in ten organisations have had their digital assets targeted by hackers in the last year, with firms that hold personal data more likely to be affected (51 per cent vs 38 per cent).

Fraudulent emails were identified as the most common form of attack, experienced by 72 per cent of the affected businesses, followed by viruses and malware (33 per cent).

What's more, research carried out by PwC led to the discovery that more than three-quarters (76 per cent) of chief executives in the UK believe their companies are at 'significant' risk of a cyber attack during the remainder of 2017.

Richard Home, UK cyber security partner at PwC, commented: "Most business boards now recognise that cyber security is a complex risk that requires their attention. The most successful leaders will be those who define a comprehensive, broad approach to governing cyber security."