UK Cyber Crime on the Rise: Businesses, Charities, and More Targeted
Posted: 22nd June 2024 - Reading Time: 3 minutes
Cyber crime in the UK has significantly grown in 2024, with businesses being the most common target. The recent Cyber Security Breaches Survey found that a cyber attack has hit half of UK businesses in the past year.
Phishing scams are the most prevalent attack method, affecting 84% of businesses. These scams involve emails or websites that trick victims into revealing personal information or clicking malicious links.
Ransomware attacks have also seen a concerning surge compared to the previous year. In these attacks, criminals encrypt critical data and demand a ransom payment for decryption. The financial impact of cybercrime is significant. The estimated annual cost to UK businesses is a staggering £27 billion. However, businesses are not the only ones at risk.
Charities, healthcare providers, financial institutions, and even industrial control systems are all becoming increasingly targeted by cyber criminals. These attacks can have a devastating impact, disrupting critical services and causing financial losses.
Rising Cyber Threats to Watch Out For
- Increased targeting of non-business sectors: As cyber criminals become more sophisticated, they are likely to continue to target a wider range of sectors, including charities, healthcare, finance, and industrial control systems.
- Supply chain attacks: These attacks target a company’s vendors or suppliers to gain access to the company’s systems.
- Internet of Things (IoT) vulnerabilities: The growing number of IoT devices connected to the Internet creates new opportunities for cyber criminals to launch attacks.
Recent Examples of Cyber Attacks
- June 2024: A cyber attack hit Synnovis, a pathology lab processing blood tests for the NHS, potentially compromising patient and staff data.
- May 2024: A cyber attack believed to be from China targeted a Ministry of Defence contractor called Shared Services Connected Ltd, potentially exposing sensitive information on current and former armed forces personnel.
- April 2024: CVS Group has told regulators about a possible breach of personal information after a cyber-attack where hackers had gained unauthorised external access to a limited number of its IT systems.
What can be done to improve cyber security?
There are several steps that businesses and individuals can take to protect themselves from cyber crime:
- Implement strong cyber security measures: This includes using firewalls, and antivirus software, and keeping software up to date.
- Educate employees about cyber threats: Employees should be aware of the latest phishing scams and other cyber attacks.
- Have a cyber incident response plan: This plan should outline how the organisation will respond to a cyber attack.
By following these steps, businesses and individuals can help to reduce the risk of falling victim to cyber crime.
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