Attacks on UK retailers raise cybersecurity readiness fears

RECENT cyber attacks on UK retail heavyweights, including M&S, Harrods and Co-op, have highlighted increasing concerns about the level of cybersecurity readiness among British businesses.

- SASKIA KOOPMAN

Cisco's latest Index, published yesterday, reveals that a mere 4% of UK firms are fully equipped to defend against today's sophisticated cyber threats.

The report also found that a staggering 83% of UK organisations are struggling with a lack of skilled cybersecurity professionals, leaving many crucial security roles vacant as threat levels rise.

"The bad guys are there looking for ways in - and far too many organisations are sitting ducks", Martin Lee, EMEA lead at Cisco Talos, told City AM.

"They have tools, they have a business model, they know how to make money."