UK minister issues cyberattack warning

Ninety per cent of UK businesses experienced a cyber breach in the last year, according to government figures

The UK minister for the digital economy, Ed Vaisey, has encouraged businesses to join the government's Cyber Essentials scheme as he warned of the "growing risk" posed by cyberthreats.

The scheme, which was launched in 2014, is designed to help SMEs and enterprises lay the foundations of basic cyber "hygiene", protecting themselves against common threats.

Ninety per cent of businesses and 74 per cent of SMEs experienced a cyber breach in the last year, government research finds.

Companies accredited on the scheme are awarded a badge aimed at showing their customers, partners, investors and others that they take the necessary precautions to stay safe.

Intel Security was the latest company to achieve Cyber Essential certification, joining more than 1,000 other businesses on the scheme including Vodafone, Barclays, National Grid and GlaxoSmithKline.

UK distributor Wick Hill is also on the scheme, claiming in February to be the first UK security distie to sign up.

Speaking at the Financial Times Cyber Security Europe Summit, the minister said: "Good cybersecurity underpins the entire digital economy - we need it to keep our businesses, citizens and public services safe. The UK is a world leader in the use of digital technologies but we also need to be a world leader in cybersecurity."

Also announced at the conference was a £500,000 fund aimed at helping universities and colleges develop the knowledge required to protect the UK from cyberthreats.

Education bodies can apply for up to £80,000, and must match the amount funded.

"Trust and confidence in UK online security is crucial for consumers, businesses and investors," Vaisey said. "We want to make the UK the safest place in the world to do business online and Cyber Essentials is a great and simple way firms can protect themselves."