‘Threat of cyber attacks constant’

The ransomware attack which caused chaos for the NHS has led to the boss of a north-east IT firm warning that cybercrime is a constant threat to organisations of all kinds.

Austen Clark, managing director of Clark Integrated Technologies, of Auchterless, near Fyvie, said this latest hack reinforced the need to take good cyber hygiene seriously.

Businesses of all sizes should be on their guard to protect their confidential information, cash flow, customers and reputation, he added.

More than 40 hospital trusts and boards across Scotland and England, along with hundreds of local GP surgeries, were locked out of their own computer systems in the unprecedented global attack.

In Scotland, more than half of regional health boards were affected.

Mr Clark said: “While under-reporting is massive, Federation of Small Businesses statistics show that two-thirds of small businesses have been the victim of cybercrime in the past two years.

“More than a third of small businesses do not report crimes against their business.”

Mr Clark said that while events like the NHS cyber attack grabbed headlines, the problem was widespread.

He added: “The internet brings huge opportunities but it also brings risks, and every single day businesses face cyber attacks.

“It is increasingly important to manage these risks.

“As cybercriminals become more determined and better organised, no business can afford to take its eye off the ball.”