The UK government has launched a new campaign urging small business owners to “lock the door” on criminals and protect themselves from common online threats.

The campaign follows research from the government which finds that around half of all small businesses have suffered a cyber breach or attack in the past 12 months.

The campaign calls on SMEs to engage with the government’s Cyber Essentials scheme which sets out practical steps they can take to protect themselves from cyber-attacks.

This includes keeping software up to date and controlling who has access to accounts and data.

The government said that many cyber incidents exploit these basic weaknesses, which the scheme is designed to protect against.

According to the government’s research, significant cyber incidents cost an average of £195,000.

Last year, 92 per cent fewer insurance claims were made by organisations who were part of the Cyber Essentials scheme, which the government cited as proof that it works.

Eligible firms can access a range of benefits through the scheme including free cyber insurance, an emergency helpline and self-assessment tools to identify gaps.

With cyber threats estimated to cost UK businesses £14.71 billion every year, the government said that the campaign will help to protect the growth of businesses in the UK.

Developed by experts at the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), the scheme focuses on five key protection including firewalls, user access control and malware protection.

The government said it gives businesses clear, practical steps to follow, helping them show customers and suppliers they take cybersecurity seriously.

The government added that for many firms, a single significant attack could be the difference between staying in business and closing their doors.

Cyber security minister baroness Lloyd said that no business is out of reach from cyber criminals, yet many do not have large IT firms.

She added that businesses should treat cyber risk as any other business risk such as fire or theft and take action to prevent it.

“SMEs play a vital role in our economy, and business owners work incredibly hard to build something valuable, but too many still assume cyber criminals only go after big brands,” she added. “The reality is criminals look for easy opportunities, and without basic protections in place, any business of any size can become a target.”

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