After all, businesses of any size can be victims of a cyber-attack. According to the government's Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2016, one in three small businesses experienced a cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months

Losing valuable data, such as customer email addresses and phone numbers, can have a lasting negative impact on finances, customer base, ability to grow - and ultimately reputation. The good news is there are some really simple and quick things you can do to protect your business.

The government's cybersecurity campaign, Cyber Streetwise, provides small businesses and individuals with the key things that they can do to help protect themselves from cyber criminals.

Cyber Streetwise's latest advice, recommended by CESG, GCHQ's cyber security arm, is that installing software updates is the most effective action Britons can take to protect themselves online. This is because software and app updates contain vital security upgrades, which protect devices from viruses and hackers.

Despite the importance of these updates, the latest government statistics from Ipsos MORI reveal that the majority of Britons don't always download the latest software updates for their mobile phone (70%) or for their computer (65%), as soon as they are available. When those surveyed were asked about the reasons why they did not install these vital software updates, the most common reason for not downloading the latest software updates for their computer was that it was ‘too time consuming' (29%). Around 19% of respondents also felt it was ‘too time consuming' to download the latest software updates for mobile.

In reality it only takes a few minutes to download software and app updates, a tiny step given the large benefits these updates bring to cybersecurity versus the damage done to a business as a esult of a cybersecurity breach, including loss of time, money and damage to reputation.

Cyber Streetwise's recent ‘Small Business Reputation and the Cyber Risk' report showed that 89% of all the small businesses surveyed that had suffered a cybersecurity breach felt that their reputation had been damaged. Consumers have high expectations from small business about their cybersecurity:

  • 83% consumers surveyed are now concerned about which businesses have access to their data and whether it's safe
  • Over half (58%) say that a cyber breach would actually discourage them from using a business in the future.

This concern is even greater in the supply chain. KPMG Supply Chain research found that 86% of procurement departments would consider removing a supplier from their roster due to a breach, highlighting that an attack can have serious short and long term implications. Some 94% of procurement managers say that cybersecurity standards are important when awarding a project to an SME supplier.

John Allan, national chairman for the Federation of Small Businesses, says: "To grow their business and reach new markets, small businesses want to embrace the opportunities a digital world provides. Recent FSB research shows that 66% of small firms already trade online or want to do so. However, greater use of technology also means greater vulnerability to digital threats. With the nature, scale and costs of cybersecurity breaches escalating, small businesses need simple, straightforward cybersecurity advice like that provided by Cyber Streetwise. We would like to see more small businesses making the most of going digital, using the resources available to keep their businesses safe and secure."

For this reason the government's Cyber Streetwise campaign has launched #quickupdates. It is urging people to always download the latest software updates as soon as they are available on their phone, tablet, laptop or computer.

Sending out software updates is the method by which software developers patch security issues, which help protect devices from hackers and viruses, as well as upgrade their programs' functionality. To ensure your business's devices have the most up to date security patches, you and your staff members should turn on auto-update whenever possible and otherwise download software updates as soon as they appear.

Danny Lawrence, National Police Chiefs' Council PROTECT coordinator for cyber crime says, "Many people believe software updates are purely cosmetic but they also address security vulnerabilities in software, plugging gaps that hackers exploit to gain access to the general public's devices. It takes very little time or effort to download the latest software updates.  Do not ignore this risk by thinking that it won't happen to you; because it just might."

Another cybersecurity vulnerability businesses face involves their passwords. This can be tackled by making passwords stronger with three random words. Hackers can use your email to gain access to all your personal accounts, leaving you vulnerable to identity theft or fraud. So using three random words will help improve the security of your account. Numbers and symbols can still be used if needed, however, using three random words is the key to creating a strong password. Your most important accounts are your email and online banking; you should also use separate passwords for your business and home accounts.

Cyber Essentials should also be on your ‘must do list'. It's a government-backed and industry-supported ‘standard', which protects your business against the most common online threats. It sets out five controls which will significantly reduce your company's vulnerability to cyber crime, and is suitable for organisations of all sizes and all sectors. Not only will your business be more secure as a result, you will be able to display a badge demonstrating you adhere to a government endorsed standard, giving you a distinct edge over competitors. Cyber Essentials certification is already mandatory for many government contracts and many large firms are now looking to require the same of their suppliers.

These are straightforward steps all business can take; cybersecurity is something businesses have control over, but they must take responsibility for it, and ensure that they take steps to improve their cybersecurity.

Visit cyberstreetwise.com for more information about how to protect your business and follow the conversation on Twitter with #quickupdates.