According to a recent CBI survey, 60% of medium-sized firms
engage with their suppliers, partners or clients online. But over
half (52%) of these firms plan for no security measures
whatsoever.
Small firms fare little better but medium-sized companies, who
are more likely to integrate their systems with large firms as well
as trade with smaller ones, are putting themselves and their supply
chain more at risk.
"Small and medium-sized firms are engaging ever more closely
with each other and with their customers online," said Alun
Michael, DTI Minister for Industry and the Regions. "In the future
we will probably need to start thinking of the supply chain as
being something more like a business ‘eco-system', where it is all
the more vital for companies to protect their information
assets."
The CBI has launched a new IT security guide aimed specifically
at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The guide, which has
the support of the Department of Trade and Industry and Ernst &
Young, includes advice on how to deal with online attack, viruses
and cybercrime in the supply chain.
The guide, Securing business value online - A guide for SMEs
in the supply chain, can be purchased for £20 from the CBI
bookshop.
