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Approaches to cyber security in small and medium-sized enterprises: Why it needs to change
Cyber Security: A Peer-Reviewed Journal,
7
(1),
52-62
(2023)
Abstract
Over the last decade, the growth in technology has created numerous opportunities for businesses to improve efficiency, develop new products and services and reach new customers. But it has also provided an opportunity for the criminal fraternity to find new, and incredibly lucrative, ways of targeting victims from anywhere in the world. This has led to cybercrime becoming one of the fastest-growing types of crime affecting individuals, businesses and third-sector organisations alike. For example, in England and Wales, official government statistics show the number of cybercrime incidents has risen by 89 per cent in the past year alone. This paper describes the effect cybercrime has on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in particular those at the smaller end of the spectrum. The paper explains why SMEs are among the most vulnerable to a breach or an attack and what challenges they face against this growing threat. The paper also describes what the UK government is doing to support SMEs specifically.
Keywords: SME; cyber security; phishing; cyber breach; cyberattack; supply chains; cyber resilience
The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.
Author's Biography
Simon Newman is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Cyber Resilience Centre for London — a not-for-profit organisation owned by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime and part of a national network of centres covering England and Wales. As CEO, Simon leads a small team to help small and medium-sized enterprises reduce their vulnerability to common cyber threats by working in partnership with central and local government, industry and academia. During his career, Simon has held a number of senior management positions across the public sector. Prior to his current role, he was Head of Business and Government Engagement at Police Crime Prevention Initiatives, where he was responsible for the Police Digital Security Centre and the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme. Simon has spent much of his career in the public sector including roles at the National Policing Improvement Agency and the Home Office, where he was Programme Director with responsibility for setting up the National Police Air Service. He has also worked overseas as a Strategic Adviser to the Ministry of Interior and Abu Dhabi Police in the United Arab Emirates. In addition to his current role, he is an Associate Trainer for Dods Group Plc and recently became an Honorary Visiting Fellow at City, University of London.
