UK enterprise leaders have been urged by ministers to work with the state and different companies to collectively put together in opposition to cyber-attacks, because the variety of dangerous breaches skyrockets.
Writing to chief executives and chairs of outstanding companies, together with the whole FTSE350, the federal government has inspired firms to grab on authorities assist and collaboration to guard themselves from the rising risk.
Excessive-profile cyber-attacks that harm companies, disrupt providers and put client knowledge in danger have change into routine, with organisations of all sizes such M&S, the Co-op, Jaguar Land Rover and Harrods dealing with breaches.
“We’ve seen firsthand the disruption attributable to cyber-attacks on main British firms, hitting their backside line and placing jobs in danger. The federal government stands prepared to assist, however cyber safety is a matter that calls for management each from chief executives and proper throughout the boardroom,” stated Tech Secretary Liz Kendall.
“It’s in that vein I’m calling on them to take instant motion. We want firms to verify they’re higher protected and higher capable of get well shortly if the worst occurs.”
The letter comes because the Nationwide Cyber Safety Centre (NSCS) in its annual assessment revealed that the variety of assaults the company has handled within the three most severe classes within the 12 months to August 2025 has greater than doubled from the earlier 12 months, reaching 204.
Safety Minister Dan Jarvis will communicate to enterprise and cyber specialists on Tuesday in a name to motion on the launch of the NCSC’s annual assessment launch.
“Cyber crime is a severe risk to the safety of our financial system, companies, and folks’s livelihoods. Whereas we work around the clock to counter threats and supply assist to companies of all sizes – we can not do it alone,” stated Jarvis.
“We’re working with enterprise leaders to make sure they recognise the size of the risk and make cyber safety a high precedence.”
As a part of authorities efforts to get cybersecurity underneath management, the NCSC has launched a Cyber Motion Toolkit geared toward small companies and sole merchants to make sure fundamental ranges of safety are met.
“One of the best ways to defend in opposition to these assaults is for organisations to make themselves as exhausting a goal as doable,” stated Dr Richard Horne, chief government of the NCSC.
“That calls for urgency from each enterprise chief: hesitation is a vulnerability, and the way forward for their enterprise is dependent upon the motion they take right this moment. The time to behave is now.”
Learn extra: UKRI sees 600% rise in cyber-attacks in 2025
