The Crucial Need For SMEs In The UK To Invest In Robust Cybersecurity IT Support

Why Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Cannot Afford to Overlook Cybersecurity

In an era where cyber threats are evolving at an unprecedented pace, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK must prioritise robust IT support with integrated cybersecurity elements to safeguard their operations. Traditional IT services paired with standard antivirus solutions are no longer sufficient to address the dynamic and sophisticated nature of today’s cyber threats.

That’s the message from award-winning UK managed service provider, Select Technology, based in Paddock Wood, Kent with the latest version of its WorkTogether managed IT support service that removes the technical and financial barriers that deter many SMEs from putting adequate safeguards in place to protect themselves from cyber-attacks. Businesses also benefit from the customer first approach of Select Technology’s expert service desk with fast response times and jargon-free conversations with the team.

WorkTogether managed IT support remains Select Technology’s most comprehensive and secure IT support package including everything SMEs need to protect their business with more features and security measures – from security scoring and phishing simulation to intrusion detection and patch management.  With this upgrade, they will also benefit from the expertise of a Security Operations Centre team, enhanced vulnerability scanning plus endpoint and server protection. See Editor’s Notes for further details.

Half of UK businesses (50%) have experienced some form of cyber security breach or attack in the past year, according to government data (Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024) published in April. By far the most common type of breach or attack is phishing (84% of businesses) followed by scam emails and websites (35% of businesses) and viruses/malware (17% of businesses).

Select Technology has been delivering World Class IT support and consultancy with a personal touch across the UK for a range of sectors including agriculture, education and construction since 1994. The company is dedicated to helping businesses across the UK achieve their goals through proactive support, robust systems and technological innovation. The changes to its WorkTogether service offering are the first improvements at the family-run business since a change in leadership announced last month, with founder Nigel Potter making way for his son after 30 years of success.

Nick Potter, Managing Director, Select Technology, said: “WorkTogether is our flagship Managed IT Support service, designed specifically for small to medium sized businesses, which we first launched a year ago to keep our customers safe, secure and more productive. Today, we launch an exciting new upgrade, further enhancing our commitment to staying ahead of cybercrime.

“Attacks by cyber criminals can often be opportunistic but are increasingly automated and sophisticated in a battle to evade detection. That’s why we’re announcing further improvements to our service to help our existing and future customers to keep one step ahead.

“SMEs have become increasingly attractive targets for cybercriminals, especially since the rise of remote or hybrid working patterns. Attacks, including credential theft, email phishing scams, social engineering and brute force, where hackers attempt to logically guess passwords and PINs, are on the rise.

“SMEs also increasingly need to prove they are secure against cyber-attacks when bidding for contracts, especially for those in the supply chain of enterprise level businesses. Being proactive by having sufficient defences in place against potential threats can be vital these days for the bottom line. It’s not a choice anymore, but a necessity.

“Our WorkTogether Managed IT Support provides an enhanced level of cybersecurity that will better safeguard the operations of SMEs. This comprehensive and secure IT support package remove barriers to making the investment required to both protect their business and achieve their future ambitions.”