Is Your IT Security Strong Enough to Protect Your Business?

Cyber attacks continue to surge across the UK, with recent statistics painting an alarming picture: 50% of all UK businesses reported experiencing a cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months – a figure that rises sharply to 70% for medium-sized businesses¹. Even more concerning, experts estimate UK businesses face approximately 14.8 attacks every minute² Showing an urgent need for more robust IT security.

Many organisations only realise how vulnerable they are when they’re already under attack. By that point, the damage is spreading: lost data, business standstill, financial losses, and customer trust in tatters.

The Current UK SMB Threat Landscape

The numbers tell a worrying story for UK businesses of all sizes:

Medium and large UK businesses face average costs exceeding £10,830 per disruptive breach¹
84% of businesses experiencing breaches were targeted through phishing attacks¹
Ransomware attacks targeting UK organisations have surged, with criminals now not only encrypting data but also threatening to leak it online unless paid⁸
66% of digital attack paths involve insecure identity credentials¹⁶
Supply chain vulnerabilities are projected to impact 45% of organisations worldwide by 2025 – a 300% increase from 2021¹⁷

While cybercriminals once focused primarily on large enterprises, SMBs have become prime targets. Why? Attackers see smaller businesses as easier to breach with their limited security resources, yet they often hold valuable customer data and can provide backdoor access to larger business networks.

The Preparedness Gap: Are UK SMBs Ready?

Despite 75% of businesses stating cybersecurity is a high priority for senior management¹, what companies say and what they actually do rarely match up:

Only 19% of businesses have an adequate incident response plan²¹
Only 31% of businesses conducted a cybersecurity risk assessment in the last year¹
A mere 18% of businesses provide regular cyber awareness training¹
67% of SMBs feel they lack the necessary in-house skills to deal with cyber threats effectively⁵
77% of SMEs lack any internal security measures²¹
32% of CEOs believe a cyber attack wouldn’t affect their operations²¹

This gap between what business leaders know they should do and what they’re actually doing creates perfect opportunities for cybercriminals.

Beyond Basic Protection

Many businesses still rely on outdated security approaches that simply check incoming files against a list of known threats. It’s like having a bouncer who only stops people on a specific watchlist—when today’s criminals constantly change their appearance and tactics.

Modern protection needs to be smarter:

Active threat hunting – Security experts who seek out hidden threats before they strike
Behaviour analysis – Systems that spot suspicious activity even if the specific threat is brand new
Automated response – Instant action against threats without waiting for a human to intervene
Complete visibility – Clear oversight of every device connecting to your network

The True Cost of a Breach: Beyond the Financials

The impact of a cyber attack extends far beyond immediate financial losses:

Direct Financial Costs Beyond the average breach cost of £10,830 for medium and large businesses¹, there are remediation expenses, potential GDPR fines (up to £17.5 million or 4% of annual turnover), and ransomware payments. One documented case showed over £21 million in total costs following a ransomware attack²⁰.

Operational Downtime Systems can remain offline for days or weeks, halting production, preventing sales, and stopping communication with customers¹³.

Reputational Damage After an attack, 43% of businesses lose customers and 38% experience bad publicity¹⁹. Yet, a concerning 87% of UK SMEs undervalue reputational damage as a serious risk²¹.

Legal & Compliance Issues Breaches often trigger regulatory investigations under frameworks like GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, potentially resulting in substantial penalties.

Long-Term Impact For many smaller businesses, a significant breach can be a death blow. The combination of financial strain, lost customer trust, and operational disruption simply proves too much.

Introducing WatchGuard Endpoint Protection Detection and Response (EPDR)

PDQ has partnered with WatchGuard to bring businesses comprehensive endpoint security through their advanced EPDR solution²⁴. This isn’t just another antivirus – it’s a complete security platform with multiple layers of protection working together to stop today’s sophisticated threats.

Key Protection Features

Zero-Trust Application Service WatchGuard EPDR checks 100% of applications before they run²⁴, preventing unknown threats from executing until they’re verified as safe – like having a security guard who checks everyone’s ID, not just those who look suspicious.

Intelligent Threat Detection The system uses advanced analysis techniques to identify malicious behaviour, catching even brand-new threats that traditional security would miss.

Ransomware Blocking Purpose-built technology specifically designed to stop ransomware before it can encrypt your files – preventing the most damaging attacks businesses face today.

Expert Threat Hunting Security specialists constantly search for hidden threats in your systems, finding problems before they can cause damage.

Vulnerability Shielding Protection that blocks attacks targeting software weaknesses, keeping you safe even before patches are applied.

Instant Threat Neutralisation When threats are detected, the system automatically contains and eliminates them – cutting response time from hours or days to mere seconds.

Why Proactive IT Support Makes Sense for UK SMBs

Many businesses struggle with cybersecurity because they lack resources, expertise, or simply haven’t made it a priority yet. This is exactly where professional IT support proves invaluable:

Expertise Without the Overhead Get access to security professionals without hiring full-time specialists – addressing the skills shortage affecting 67% of SMBs⁵.

Predictable Security Costs Instead of the unpredictable, potentially catastrophic costs of a breach, proactive support gives you comprehensive protection for a fixed monthly fee.

Free Up Your Team Automated security responses mean your staff can focus on growing your business instead of constantly putting out IT fires.

Simplified Compliance Meet regulatory requirements more easily with documented security controls and detailed reporting.

Grows With Your Business Whether you have 10 employees or 1,000, the right security solution scales alongside your organisation.

Protection in Practice: A Real-World Example

One of our clients, a mid-sized financial services firm in London, came to us after experiencing recurring security issues despite having traditional antivirus protection. They were frustrated with constant alerts and false positives while still feeling vulnerable to sophisticated attacks.

Within just four weeks of implementing WatchGuard EPDR, the system detected and automatically blocked a complex attack that had completely bypassed their previous security measures.

The attack combined deceptive emails with advanced malware that didn’t match known threat signatures – exactly the kind of attack that conventional solutions miss. Instead of facing regulatory fines, data theft, and reputational damage, the company avoided what could have been a six-figure breach.

Getting Started with Advanced Protection

At PDQ, we’ve helped businesses across Essex and the wider UK strengthen their security posture with WatchGuard EPDR. Our approach is straightforward but thorough:

A complete assessment of your current security setup – finding gaps before attackers do
Tailored implementation that fits your specific business needs and industry requirements
Staff security training to build your human firewall against phishing and social engineering
Ongoing support with regular security reviews to adapt as threats evolve

Exclusive Offer for UK Businesses

For a limited time, we’re offering an exceptional opportunity to boost your security:

Protection for up to 250 users with our no-obligation trial
Free IT security consultation—at your office or online
Expert help with setup to ensure maximum protection from day one

Don’t wait until you’re dealing with the aftermath of a breach. Get in touch with PDQ today to see how WatchGuard EPDR can transform your security posture.

Call us on 01277 633533 or request your consultation online.

PDQ has provided trusted IT solutions to UK businesses since 1995. As cyber security specialists, we help organisations of all sizes implement robust protection against increasingly sophisticated threats.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my current IT security is adequate?

If you’re relying solely on traditional antivirus, lacking multi-factor authentication, not regularly updating systems, or haven’t conducted a security assessment in the past year, your protection is likely inadequate. Signs of weak security include frequent unexplained system issues, slow computers, staff receiving many phishing emails, or absence of security awareness training.

What makes WatchGuard EPDR different from standard antivirus?

Standard antivirus only checks files against known threat databases—it’s reactive and limited. WatchGuard EPDR is proactive, using behavior analysis to catch unknown threats, checking applications before they run, hunting for hidden threats, blocking exploits, and automatically responding to incidents. It combines prevention, detection, and response capabilities in a single solution.

Is my small business really at risk of cyber attacks?

Absolutely. Small businesses are increasingly targeted precisely because they often have weaker security. With 50% of all UK businesses experiencing attacks, and 70% of medium businesses¹, size doesn’t make you immune. In fact, criminals often see smaller businesses as easier targets with valuable data and less sophisticated defences.

How quickly can enhanced security be implemented?

For most businesses, PDQ can implement WatchGuard EPDR within 1-2 business days with minimal disruption. The system is cloud-managed for quick deployment, and our team handles the technical configuration while providing clear guidance throughout the process. We can often begin protecting critical systems on the same day.

What kind of return on investment can I expect from improved security?

Consider that the average breach costs medium businesses £10,830¹, while some incidents exceed £21 million²⁰. Beyond direct costs, you avoid operational downtime, lost customers, and regulatory penalties. Most clients find their investment in proactive security is a fraction of what a single breach would cost, with many seeing ROI within the first year through prevented incidents alone.

How does WatchGuard EPDR handle remote workers?

The solution provides the same level of protection whether devices are in the office or being used remotely. The cloud-based management console allows for central policy control across all endpoints regardless of location, ensuring consistent security for remote and hybrid work environments.