Cyber Security is No Joke

Why UK Small Businesses Must Stay Vigilant This April Fools’ Day

As April Fools’ Day rolls around, many businesses will be sharing a laugh , but cyber criminals aren’t joking. While today is all about light‑hearted fun, the reality is that cyber threats facing UK organisations remain serious, persistent, and increasingly sophisticated.

Recent findings from the UK Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025 show that 43% of UK businesses reported a cyber breach or attack in the past 12 months, equating to over 600,000 organisations nationwide. Despite a slight decline from 2024, this still represents a significant threat to organisations of all sizes. For small businesses, phishing remains the leading danger, with micro and small firms reporting declining – but still substantial – phishing rates at 35% and 42% respectively. [gov.uk]

However, not all trends are heading in the right direction. Ransomware attacks have doubled year‑on‑year, now affecting approximately 19,000 UK businesses. Cyber crime also tends to be repetitive in nature, with many organisations experiencing multiple attacks, highlighting how highly targeted smaller firms have become. [industrialcyber.co]

While breaches may be slightly less common, the impact of cyber incidents is increasing. From temporary loss of access to critical systems — a problem that rose from 4% to 7% among affected businesses — to financial and reputational damage, the consequences can be severe. [cybermagazine.com]

Why SME’s shouldn’t shrug it off

For many small businesses across the UK, cyber security can feel like “someone else’s problem”. However, the statistics paint a different picture:

• 85% of UK businesses hit by a breach reported phishing as the main attack type, making it the most common and disruptive threat to organisations of all sizes. [gov.uk]
• Board‑level responsibility for cyber security has fallen to just 27% of UK businesses, raising concerns about oversight and preparedness. [assets.pub…ice.gov.uk]
• Small businesses remain highly exposed, despite many adopting basic cyber hygiene practices such as risk assessments and insurance. [nibusinessinfo.co.uk]

The growing use of AI‑powered impersonation and “cyber‑crime‑as‑a‑service” tools also means that attacks are becoming more convincing and easier for criminals to scale. This increases risk for smaller organisations that may not have dedicated internal IT teams or security specialists.

Calder IT: Protecting SME’s from real‑world threats

At Calder IT, we combine Yorkshire service with industry‑leading security expertise. Our mission is to make cyber security understandable, accessible, and effective, without the jargon. We support businesses with:

Whether you’re a micro‑business, SME, or growing enterprise, we’ll help you stay protected in an ever‑evolving threat landscape.

This April Fools’ Day — Don’t Be Fooled by Cyber Threats

While fake headlines and prank announcements are all part of the day, one thing remains no laughing matter: cyber criminals are working harder than ever. If you’d like support strengthening your cyber security, speak to our team or visit:

Keep your business secure