The National Cyber Security Center (NCSC), together with the Cabinet Office, DCMS, and Home Office, has recently launched the latest phase of its Cyber Aware campaign. This included a self-assessment tool on the website to help sole traders and micro businesses check how safe they are from cyber threats and to give advice on areas of improvement.
The increased use of email, online payments, and collaboration software has brought great benefits to businesses, including the construction sector, but it does come with risks.
Cyber Action Plan
According to Action Fraud reporting, between November 2019 and December 2020, the construction sector was in the top three sectors impacted by cybercrime where the victim was a business.
That is why, as part of the Cyber Aware campaign, the NCSC has created the Cyber Action Plan available on its website to help micro-businesses with fewer than 10 employees and sole traders securely navigate the increasingly digital landscape they operate in. They may also find the links to the resource hub and toolkit helpful. These include suggested messaging, key behaviors, and a leaflet for use digitally or in print. After responding to questions on their current IT practices in the new Cyber Action Plan, businesses will receive tailored advice on how to improve their cyber security, based on the responses given.