Threat of cyber attacks are “bigger than ever”, says NCSC report

Cyber criminal are launching more online attacks on UK businesses than ever before, according to a report from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

Titled 'The Cyber Threat to UK Business', the analysis states that the threat of ransomware attacks and data breaches are “bigger than ever” and the best way to defend against them is collaboration between government, law enforcement and business.

It details some of the biggest cyber attacks from the past year and stresses that risks to UK businesses will continue to grow before highlighting emerging threats, such as theft from cloud storage and cryptojacking.

The report goes on to claim that a basic cyber security posture is no longer enough in 2018 and that most attacks will only be defeated by organisations that prioritise cyber security and work closely with government and law enforcement.

Ciaran Martin, NCSC chief executive, said the key to better cyber security is understanding the problem and taking practical steps to reduce risk.

“This report sets out to explain what terms like cryptojacking and ransomware really mean for businesses and citizens, and using case studies, shows what can happen when the right protections aren’t in place,” he commented.