📉 A Cyber Attack Could Cost Your Business More Than You Think
Most small business owners assume that hackers only target large corporations. The reality? 43% of cyberattacks hit small businesses, and the average cost of a UK SMB cyber breach is over £100,000—a financial hit that many businesses simply can’t recover from.
Cybercriminals know that smaller businesses often have weaker security, fewer resources, and are less likely to have a proactive cybersecurity strategy in place. That’s why they’ve become a prime target.
Let’s break down the real costs of a cyber attack, what causes these financial losses, and how to prevent becoming the next statistic.
The True Cost of a Cyber Attack on Small Businesses
A cyber breach doesn’t just affect your business for a few hours—it can create months (or years) of damage.
🔴 Immediate Financial Impact
✔️ Ransom payments: Cybercriminals using ransomware demand an average of £4,200 per attack (Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report 2023).
✔️ Downtime costs: On average, a ransomware attack halts operations for 16 days (Coveware).
✔️ Data recovery: Recovering from a breach costs thousands in forensic investigations & restoring systems.
🔴 Long-Term Business Damage
✔️ Regulatory fines: UK businesses are legally required to report data breaches to the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office), which can issue fines of up to £17.5 million or 4% of turnover (GDPR).
✔️ Lost business: 60% of small businesses close within six months of a cyberattack (bbc.co.uk).
✔️ Reputation damage: Would your customers trust you again if their data was leaked?
🔴 The Windows 10 Factor (Yes, This Affects You!)
✔️ 60% of businesses are still using Windows 10, which loses security updates in October 2025.
✔️ Once Microsoft ends support, vulnerabilities won’t be patched, making systems an easy target for cybercriminals.
✔️ If you’re running Windows 10 after October 2025, you’re putting your business at even greater risk.
How to Prevent a £100,000 Mistake
Most cyberattacks are preventable with the right security measures. Here’s what every small business should have in place:
✅ Dark Web Monitoring – Find out if your passwords, emails, or customer data are being sold online before criminals use them.
✅ Proactive Cybersecurity – Firewalls & antivirus alone aren’t enough—real protection comes from active 24/7 monitoring.
✅ Employee Training – 90% of breaches start with human error. Phishing-resistant businesses are far harder to hack.
✅ Penetration Testing – Simulate an attack to find weaknesses before hackers do.
✅ Windows 10 Upgrade Strategy – Get a plan in place now before you’re left vulnerable.
Is Your Business Protected? Let’s Find Out
Many small businesses believe they’re too small to be a target, but cybercriminals know you don’t have the same defenses as larger firms—and they exploit that.
At Hilt Digital Solutions, we help businesses across Wirral, Liverpool & Chester stay ahead of cyber threats with proactive cybersecurity solutions.
📲 Let’s talk about protecting your business before it’s too late.
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