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Can your business withstand a cyber attack?
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Premierline Insurance explains why cyber attack insurance matters more than ever for UK SMEs.
Cyber threats are no longer just a concern for big-name brands. In fact, cyber insurance is becoming a critical part of risk planning for UK SMEs, as the frequency and sophistication of cyber threats continue to rise.
At Premierline, we’ve seen a 130% year-on-year increase in SMEs purchasing cyber insurance. Businesses are recognising the need for expert support and real protection when it counts.
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A cyber attack is an attempt to access, damage or steal data from your IT systems. This can disrupt your business, compromise sensitive customer or payment data, and even lock you out of your own systems.For smaller businesses, a cyber attack can be especially damaging.
Common cyber attack types
Understanding the different types of cyber attack is the first step in preparing your business.
Phishing: Emails disguised as legitimate communications trick employees into clicking harmful links.
Ransomware: This is a form of malware that encrypts your files and demands payment to restore access.
Data breaches: Unauthorised access to personal or financial data can lead to regulatory fines and a loss of customer trust.
Denial-of-service (DoS) attacks: These overwhelm systems, causing disruption and downtime.
How to prevent cyber attacks
There are steps every business can take to reduce risk:
Use multi-factor authentication on all accounts.
Train staff on how to recognise phishing attempts.
Keep software and firewalls up to date.
Regularly back up key data and store it securely.
Work with trusted IT partners for proactive threat monitoring.
Even with these safeguards in place, businesses are turning to insurance to provide that extra layer of protection. If you’re unsure where to begin, our guide breaks down how it works and what it typically covers: www.premierline.co.uk/insight-hub/what-is-cyber-insurance.
How insurance supports SMEs
As an SME, you might not have in-house IT support, crisis management resources or the financial buffer larger corporations rely on. Insurance can offer final protection to help you recover, direct access to cyber experts, legal costs and regulatory support.
Cyber insurance should form part of a broader business protection strategy. Many SMEs rely on interconnected digital systems to trade, manage data and communicate. If one part fails, the rest of your business could suffer too.
As cyber threats continue to evolve, it’s becoming less about if your business might be targeted, and more about being prepared for when it could happen. l
This article is by Premierline Business Insurance Broker, the trusted insurance partner for CIOB members. To speak to an expert, call 0330 102 6158, or email [email protected].
The November/December 2025 issue of Construction Management magazine is now available to read in digital format.
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