How Businesses Are Protecting Themselves Against Cyber Attacks

Certain high-profile cyber-attacks have placed the problem into sharp media focus in recent weeks. Big retailers and other major organisations have fallen victim to scammers, and the crimes have affected consumers and registered users alike. The bigger attacks will always hit the headlines, but the fact is that they are on the increase. In general, they are an increasing problem for any online set up, but how can businesses fight back?

Cyber Attacks: A Brief History

By definition, a cyber-attack is an attempt by a third party to breach the security systems of a single digital device, or a wider network. The criminals attempting this are known as ‘hackers’ and their intention is to modify or damage the system, or to steal data.

It’s estimated that attacks on technology date all the way back to the 19th century when the French telegraph system was targeted in the 1830s. The problem continued sporadically, but it’s very much a modern phenomenon. The first digital attack came in 1988, and the issue remained through the 1990s and the early days of the internet. Cyber-attacks are now a major concern for any online operation, but who is most at risk?

Under Attack

Any online business that stores customer information is a potential target for cyber criminals. If an operator stores names and addresses, together with sensitive financial details, it’s likely that at some point they will come under attack. A good example of this can be found in the online casino industry. When you consider the best paying online casino operators in the sector, as picked by Daisy Harrison of Casino.org, each is likely to have many thousands of customers on their records. Names, addresses and contact details are here and, in most cases, those account holders will have made financial transactions.

Casinos are a prime example of a business at risk from cyber criminals, but there are many others. Any online company with customer information is a target, and if those customers store financial details, they are even more lucrative as far as the hackers are concerned.

The Fightback is Underway

Every online business should be aware of the danger, but how can they protect themselves against cyber-attacks? One of the first steps is to seek advice from national governments. Across the world, many countries offer free resources that outline basic steps to take.

These steps include updating software as soon as it is available. At blog platforms such as WordPress, updates arrive on a regular basis, and many of these contain enhanced security measures. Simply by clicking on the update button and accepting the new terms, an extra barrier is created. At another basic level, be sure to use strong passwords, and do not use the same codes for business as you do for personal emails and social media accounts. There should be a clear dividing line between passwords for personal and business use.

At a more advanced level, organisations should review their security frameworks and identify areas where any sensitive information is held. An incident response plan also needs to be put in place, and it will be possible to test this out to ensure it will work in a real-life situation.

Staff training is also a necessity. As the business owner, you may feel that the entire responsibility falls on your shoulders, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Outsourcing security and making all staff aware of potential threats can ease the burden and make the system run more efficiently.

Insuring Against the Risks

As a final step, businesses can consider taking out cyber cover. This is a specialised form of insurance that can provide compensation in the event of a successful attack taking place.

Anyone considering cyber insurance should speak to a professional. It’s not the type of cover that can be arranged via comparison sites, and there are complex aspects to discuss. Ensure that it is right for your business before going ahead.

On the Rise

Figures show that cyber attacks are on the increase and surveys suggest that the risk of online crime has never been higher. Globally, the overall cost of cybercrime crime is estimated to have been $8 trillion in 2023. By 2027, projections suggest that the numbers may rise to a staggering $24 trillion.

A study carried out by the UK Government in 2025 also underlined the extent of the problem. The research suggests that, between August and December 2024, 43% of online businesses reported a cyber breach or attack. In addition, 30% of charities were also affected. Cybercrime is clearly a serious issue, but we’ve seen that there are ways in which it can be addressed.

Anyone involved in online business must first be aware of the potential for cybercrime, and the fact that it continues to increase. Consider the risks to your business and follow the steps listed here as you aim to protect yourself against the hackers.