Many UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face challenges when bringing in external IT help, especially around cybersecurity. Often, the risks come not just from the technology itself but from how the IT provider is chosen and managed. Mistakes in this process can leave your business vulnerable to cyberattacks, data breaches, or costly downtime.
Why cybersecurity matters for UK SMEs
Cybersecurity isn't just a technical issue; it directly affects your business's ability to operate safely and maintain customer trust. A security lapse can lead to data loss, regulatory penalties under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, or damage to your reputation. For example, if your IT provider doesn't enforce strong access controls or multi-factor authentication (MFA), an attacker could gain unauthorised access to sensitive information. This can halt operations and disrupt staff productivity, sometimes for days.
A common scenario: Overlooking security basics
Consider a UK SME with around 50 employees that recently outsourced IT support. The provider offered reactive break-fix support but did not include regular security reviews or patch management in their service. After a phishing attack, several machines were infected with ransomware, encrypting critical files. Because backups were not tested or stored securely offsite, the business faced significant downtime and data loss. A proactive IT partner would have implemented regular security audits, ensured backups were robust and isolated, and trained staff on recognising phishing attempts.
Common pitfalls when hiring IT help
- Choosing on price alone: The cheapest option might lack important cybersecurity expertise or proactive monitoring.
- Ignoring security credentials: Not checking if the provider follows recognised standards like Cyber Essentials or ISO 27001.
- Lack of clear responsibilities: Unclear contracts or SLAs that don't specify who manages security updates, backups, or incident response.
- Insufficient access control: Allowing IT providers broad, unmanaged access without regular review or MFA.
- Not verifying backup and recovery processes: Assuming backups exist without testing restore procedures or confirming offsite storage.
Practical checklist for UK SMEs
- Ask your IT provider if they have Cyber Essentials or ISO 27001 certification, or equivalent security frameworks.
- Confirm they enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all remote access and administrative accounts.
- Request details on how they manage software patching and vulnerability scanning.
- Check the scope of their service level agreement (SLA) to ensure it covers security monitoring, incident response, and regular reporting.
- Review who has access to your systems and data; ensure access rights are limited and reviewed regularly.
- Verify backup procedures: frequency, storage location (ideally offsite/cloud), encryption, and periodic restore testing.
- Ask about staff cybersecurity training and awareness initiatives they support or provide.
- Include security requirements in any tender or supplier questionnaire, referencing UK compliance expectations.
Choosing the right IT partner is about more than just fixing problems quickly; it's about building a secure foundation for your business. Taking time to ask the right questions and verify security practices can reduce your cyber risk and support compliance with UK data protection rules.
If you're unsure where to start, consider speaking with a trusted managed IT provider or independent IT advisor who understands the needs of UK SMEs and can guide you through practical cybersecurity steps tailored to your business.