Small businesses are not immune. Criminals look for easy targets. That is why this matters to you.
You may have read recently that Suffolk Chamber of Commerce was a victim of a Cyber Attack a couple of months ago.
Start with the basics.
Cyber resilience comes first. Cover is the safety net. Good passwords, multi factor authentication and up to date software reduce risk. Train your staff. Most breaches still begin with a single email. A phishing click is all it takes. If you outsource IT, do not assume everything is covered. Ask what they do, and get it in writing.
If you’re unsure where to begin, there are affordable services for small firms. Many MSPs (Managed Service Provider) offer packages that include cloud licences, endpoint detection and staff training, sometimes for a small monthly fee. These tools are not expensive. They do a lot of the heavy lifting.
Now the important bit about insurance. Cyber cover helps when things go wrong. A good policy gives you access to an incident response team. They act fast. They help with IT forensics, data recovery, GDPR notifications, and business interruption. That immediate response often saves time and money. It also preserves reputation.
A common myth is that cyber policies never pay. That is not my experience. Claims fail when policy conditions are not met. If you try to fix a breach yourself and call your insurer days later, you may have lost your claim. Phone the hotline straight away. Follow the insurer’s instructions. That keeps the claim valid and brings the right experts to your side.
Cyber is not the whole story. It is part of a wider protection plan. Directors’ liabilities, professional indemnity and other covers may be needed depending on your business. Sometimes a combined policy gives you a small cyber extension. That is not the same as a full cyber policy. Ask what you actually have. Know the gaps.
AI and new tech are changing the landscape.
The same tools that drive attacks help detect them. Policies are adapting. Contractual requirements from bigger customers are also driving cyber protection down the supply chain. And expect to be asked to show proof of cover when you tender or work for larger clients.
If you collect, store or process data, you are at risk. If you take card payments or run digital systems, you are at risk. If that sounds like your business, I recommend you look at what can be done today.
If you want a quick, plain-spoken review, call me. I’ll look at what you have and tell you plainly what you need. No jargon. No hard sell. Just practical advice to keep your business trading and your customers safe.
Contact the Coversure Sudbury team on 01787 540 240
