Businesses receive cyber security warning from IT expert

A leading IT expert has highlighted that many businesses remain ill-prepared for the growing threat of cyberattacks, despite the increasing risks.

Chris Pottrell, founder and managing director of Nebula IT, warns that many companies are not taking adequate measures to protect themselves from cyber crime, which has become more sophisticated over time.

He said: “We’re living in an increasingly uncertain world, and the UK government is consistently swatting away attacks on our critical infrastructure from nefarious actors such as the Russian state.

“That’s at a macro level and can seem otherworldly to many entrepreneurs and leaders, but at a micro level there is also a constant threat of attack from all sorts of groups who are using increasingly sophisticated methods to try and shake businesses down.”

The UK government’s latest report indicates that businesses in the UK experienced around 7.78 million cybercrimes in 2023-24, equating to over 21,000 attacks each day.

Pottrell suggests that businesses must engage with their supply chains and work with specialised partners to manage cyber threats, detect them early, and have a response plan in place.

“The solution is to engage with your supply chain and work with specialist partners who can help you mitigate cyber threats, detect them at the earliest opportunity and have a plan in place if you are attacked,” said Pottrell.

Nebula IT, based in Bristol, has recently earned the status of Assured Service Provider after a thorough audit by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), demonstrating its adherence to the highest cyber security standards.

Nebula, who is at the forefront of cyber security, recently hosted its annual summit, attended by over 70 business leaders.

It was revealed that the cybercrime industry now rivals the world’s third-largest economy, with an annual GDP of $8tn—almost double the size of the German and Japanese economies.

More concerning, data shows businesses block an average of 710 million phishing emails per week, with 91 per cent of successful cyber-attacks starting via email.

The firm offers comprehensive IT solutions, including managed services and cyber security, to help businesses address these growing risks.

Nebula IT, based in Bristol, has recently earned the status of Assured Service Provider after a thorough audit by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)

Pottrell concluded: “It sounds straightforward but too many businesses still aren’t taking the threat seriously enough. Yes, there is a cost to preparing yourself, but the cost to not doing so could be even greater.”

All photos: Nebula IT

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Many businesses are not adequately prepared for the increasing threat of cyberattacks, according to IT expert Chris Pottrell, founder of Nebula IT. Cybercrime has become more sophisticated over time, with the UK government facing attacks on critical infrastructure from various actors.

In the UK, businesses experienced around 7.78 million cybercrimes in 2023-24, averaging over 21,000 attacks per day. Pottrell emphasizes the importance of engaging with supply chains and working with specialized partners to manage and detect cyber threats early.

Nebula IT, based in Bristol, recently earned the status of Assured Service Provider after a thorough audit by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), showcasing their commitment to high cybersecurity standards. The firm offers comprehensive IT solutions, including managed services and cybersecurity, to help businesses address these growing risks.

At Nebula IT's annual summit, attended by over 70 business leaders, it was revealed that the cybercrime industry now rivals the world's third-largest economy, with an annual GDP of $8tn. Businesses block an average of 710 million phishing emails per week, with 91% of successful cyber-attacks originating from email.

Pottrell stresses the importance of taking the threat of cyberattacks seriously, as the cost of not preparing could be even greater than the cost of prevention. Businesses must prioritize cybersecurity measures to protect themselves from evolving cyber threats.