The UK is experiencing a surge in cybercrime, with ransomware attacks reaching unprecedented levels. New figures from the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025 reveal that cyber threats are not only more frequent, they’re also becoming more sophisticated and damaging.
If you’re a business owner or decision-maker, these developments aren’t just headlines – they’re a major warning sign and a direct call to action. As the BBC reports, the simplest of failures can bring down the biggest of businesses.
Why You Should Be Taking Action Now
According to the UK Government’s latest data:
- Around 19,000 UK businesses were hit by ransomware in the past 12 months – double the previous year.
- High-profile organisations such as M&S, the Co-op, and Harrods have all suffered significant breaches.
- Even trusted public bodies like the British Library have been victims, with attackers exploiting third-party access and inadequate multi-factor authentication.
What’s driving this surge? In part, the growing use of AI-powered attack tools, which make sophisticated cybercrime easier and more scalable than ever before.
The cost of a cyber-attack is no longer just financial. There’s reputational damage, operational downtime, and the potential for regulatory penalties, particularly under GDPR and upcoming legislation mandating faster breach reporting.
10 Practical Steps to Protect Your Business From Cyber crime
Good cyber security isn’t just about reacting to threats. It’s about building resilience from the ground up. Here are ten practical actions every UK organisation can take immediately:
- Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) across all systems and users.
- Maintain secure, offline backups of critical data, and test them regularly.
- Apply software updates and patches promptly to close known vulnerabilities.
- Use next-generation antivirus and endpoint protection tools.
- Train staff regularly on phishing, impersonation, and other social engineering attacks.
- Enforce least privilege access, ensuring employees can only access what they need.
- Segment your network to contain the spread of potential breaches.
- Create and test an incident response plan, specifically covering ransomware.
- Review and update your cyber insurance and business continuity plans.
- Engage senior leadership, with regular updates on cyber risks and mitigation.
Certification: Building Confidence Through Best Practice
While technical controls are essential, third-party certifications provide an added layer of assurance, both internally and externally. Whether you’re bidding for contracts, working with public sector clients, or simply looking to improve internal governance, certification is a powerful trust signal.
Here’s how the three most recognised cyber security frameworks in the UK compare:
| Certification | Benefits | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Cyber Essentials |
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| Cyber Essentials Plus |
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| ISO 27001 |
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Getting Started with Cyber Security Certification
At British Assessment Bureau, we help organisations of all sizes take control of their cyber security journey. If you want to demonstrate best practice to customers and regulators, we’re here to support you.
With the threat landscape evolving rapidly, there’s never been a more critical time to act.
Ready to protect your business?
Get in touch with our expert team to discuss how we can support your journey to Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus, or ISO 27001 certification.
Request a quote today or contact us to discuss your options.
