Cyber Security
Why every Liverpool business needs a plan, not just a password
Stu Astbury, BT Local Business
Cyber security used to feel like something only large corporations needed to worry about. That’s no longer the case. According to the latest figures, 43% of UK businesses identified a breach or attack in the past 12 months — equivalent to around 612,000 organisations. Phishing remains the most common route in, affecting 38% of businesses, and it’s getting harder to spot as attackers increasingly use AI to make scam messages more convincing.
The impact isn’t just financial. A breach can mean lost productivity, disrupted customer service, and reputational harm that lingers long after systems are back online.
What businesses can do
- Multi-factor authentication on email and key systems, so a stolen password alone isn’t enough.
- Regular staff awareness training since most attacks start with a convincing email, not a technical exploit.
- A tested incident response plan so your team knows what to do rather than improvising under pressure.
- Up-to-date backups stored separately from your main network, so an attack doesn’t cost you your data too.
- A properly configured firewall and endpoint protection, monitoring and blocking threats before they land.
How BT Local Business can help
Firewalls & endpoint protection: Cisco Meraki firewalls giving enterprise-grade threat protection, content filtering and network visibility, backed by endpoint licences for every device your team uses.
Your internet connection: standard broadband is shared and contended. A dedicated leased line is private and uncontended, reducing exposure and giving a more secure foundation to build on.
Talk to us in October
Join our dedicated cyber security event, or get in touch with BT Local Business any time to talk through where your business stands today.
Reach out to stuart.astbury@btlocalbusiness.co.uk for more help and advice.
