CyberUp Campaign react to 2024 Government Cyber Breaches Survey
Representatives of the UK’s cyber security sector and the CyberUp Campaign have reacted to the worrying findings of the Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey, published today, with the report showing 50% of businesses and 32% of charities suffered a cyber breach or attack in the last year.
Andrew Jones, Strategy Director of The Cyber Scheme Limited, Chair of the UK Cyber Security Council Professional Standards Working Group and representative of the CyberUp Campaign said:
Today’s survey findings are a shocking reminder of the continued threats to the UK’s cyber resilience. The last year has seen a significant evolution in cyber threats to the UK, with breaches becoming increasingly sophisticated and persistent. Cyber threats not only inflict significant financial losses but also with 50% of UK businesses being impacted, risks our national security and democracy.
Whilst organisations must remain vigilant, the Government must also take more decisive action, as our vital infrastructure remains dangerously exposed. The UK’s outdated cyber laws are preventing our cyber professionals and experts from defending organisations effectively. In no other sector do security professionals face risks of breaking the law for simply doing their jobs. The clearest solution is to reform the UK’s outdated foundational cyber law, the Computer Misuse Act 1990, first created when just 0.5% of the UK population had internet access. Bringing the Act into the 21st century will equip cyber security researchers with the necessary tools to empower our cyber ecosystem and foster collaboration between government, academia, and industry, ensuring our cyber defences remain strong."
Key findings include:
50% of businesses experienced a cyber breach or attack in the last year. Within this, just over two-fifths (44%) of these breaches/attacks were cases of cyber crime.
32% of charities experienced a cyber breach or attack in the last year.
It is estimated that cyber breaches cost each business an average of £1,250 per attack.
Across all UK businesses, there were approximately 7.78 million instances of cyber crime and approximately 3% of businesses have experienced instances of fraud in the last 12 months.
Approximately four in ten businesses and charities are seeking information and guidance on cyber security from outside their organisations.
The Cyber Security Breaches Survey is an annual research study for UK cyber resilience, aligning with the National Cyber Strategy. It is primarily used to inform government policy on cyber security, making the UK cyberspace a secure place to do business. However, the significant number of breaches reported this year highlights that the UK’s vital infrastructure is increasingly under threat, making the necessary cyber protections and reform of the UK’s outdated cyber laws more important than ever.