breaches. they had been a victim of hacking and 5% had suffered security infections which had affected 20% of respondents. A further 8% said has on a business. The most common threat to businesses is virus three in 10 members have been a victim of fraud, typically by a months, putting the average cost at around £4,000 per business. Around Research by the Federation of Small Businesses has found that fraud

For the first time, the FSB has looked at the impact that online crime

customer or client (13%) or through "card not present" fraud (10%).

Some 41% of FSB members have been a victim of cyber crime in the last 12

and online crime is costing its members across the country a staggering £785 million a year.

patches and almost six in 10 regularly update their virus scanning from cyber crime. However, 36% said they regularly installed security Almost 20% of members have not taken any steps to protect themselves software.

of fraud or online crime.”is the capacity for businesses to report when they have been a victim its guidance targeted specificially at small firms and make sure there want to see the Government look at how it can simplify and streamline tips we have developed to make sure they are doing all they can. We from the government and the wider public sector, there are clear something that should be ignored. While we want to see clear action a real and growing threat for Kent’s small firms and it isn’t Roger House, FSB chairman in Kent and Medway, said: “Cyber crime poses

“I encourage all small firms in Kent and Medway to look at the 10 top

actions that businesses can take to help themselves.