guidance, this gives SMEs access to easy-to-understand assessments, guidance and practical next steps.

BT is now providing the following free tools to UK SMEs:

T Business has launched a comprehensive new suite of cybersecurity tools to help the UK’ s small and medium enterprises( SMEs) deal with the rapidly escalating threat of cybercrime.

Recent BT research revealed a 300 % yearon-year increase in malicious scanning activity, with connected devices now probed an average of 4,000 times a day, as AI tools rapidly increase the scale and pace of cyberthreats. BT’ s latest data shows the company now prevents 4 million cyberattacks across its networks every day.

SMEs are a prime target, with half saying the risk of cyberthreats is one of their top tech concerns. Despite this, close to 1.8 million businesses, around one in three of the UK’ s SME population, still lack even basic cyber protection, leaving a significant gap in the nation’ s defences.

For the first time, BT has launched new AI-powered cyber tools, powered by

Crowdstrike, for UK SMEs – giving them access to leading-edge cybersecurity typically reserved for big businesses. Supported by new free cyber support for SMEs and a nationwide marketing campaign, the move reinforces BT Business’ commitment to putting industrial-grade security within reach of every UK business.

Government figures suggest the average cyberbreach now costs a UK business £ 3,550. With 43 % of UK businesses having experienced at least one breach or attack in the past year, the need for simple, accessible support has never been more urgent.

Following research showing that over eight in 10 SMEs believe personalised, in-person guidance would help them improve their security, BT’ s new Cyber Support Hub offers a wealth of free support to help close the UK’ s growing cyber-resilience gap. Developed in line with National Cyber Security Centre

• Cyber Health Check – a simple self-assessment tool to help SMEs understand their risks, and receive a cyber score and prioritised action plan in response

• Cyber Guides – a dedicated team of cyber advisors offering clear and practical advice by phone, online chat and in-store

• AI Cyber Assistant – providing 24 / 7 support to any cyber question, utilising guidance and insights curated by BT’ s security experts

• Cyber Support Hub – a platform packed with practical explainers and easy how-to guides, to help SMEs stay one step ahead of cyber threats

Jon James, Chief Executive Officer at BT Business, said:“ As technology continues to evolve at breakneck speed, cyberattacks are becoming ever more sophisticated. For UK SMEs, this means they now must defend themselves against the same highly complex threats faced by large enterprises, without the resources, expertise or budget to match.

“ BT protects more businesses than any other network, so we know the level of threat they face – and because cyberthreats don’ t care about size of your business, neither should the protection we provide our customers. That’ s why we’ re offering new AI-powered solutions and a range of expert guidance and support, providing big business security to the UK’ s small businesses.” �

Intelligent SME. tech

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