A few days ago, I read a headline that made my stomach clench.
“China-based hack targets UK companies in critical national security threat.”
Sky News, May 2025
At first glance, it feels distant. Big, dramatic words like national security make it sound like something for government officials and multinational corporations to worry about. But if you're running a growing business in Ruddington or West Bridgford, a digital agency, a law firm, a consultancy, let me tell you something:
This story matters to you. Deeply.
And the scary bit? You probably wouldn’t know you were next until it was too late.
What Actually Happened?
Let’s start with the facts.
Earlier this month, a coordinated cyberattack was uncovered targeting several UK-based organisations, including Cadent (a gas distributor), News UK, and Johnson Matthey. These weren’t smash-and-grab style attacks. This was espionage; stealthy, sophisticated, and serious.
The attackers used a technique called Remote Code Execution (RCE). In simple terms? It means they got into systems quietly, ran malicious code, and had access to whatever they wanted, all without triggering any alarms.
The weak link? A vulnerability in a commonly used piece of enterprise software: SAP NetWeaver. It’s used by organisations across industries, and not just big ones.
Cybersecurity analysts quickly traced the attack back to China-based actors, likely part of a government-backed espionage campaign. Their motive? Data, the oil of today’s economy.
But while the headlines focused on national infrastructure and large-scale espionage, what no one’s shouting loudly enough is this:
The same techniques are being used to go after smaller, easier targets every day.
Yes, even in West Bridgford.
Why Small Businesses Are More at Risk Than Ever
Here’s something we often forget:
Cybercriminals don’t care how big your office is, just how vulnerable your systems are.
And unfortunately, small businesses are the low-hanging fruit:
- You might be using out-of-date software (because who has time to upgrade everything, right?).
- You likely don’t have in-house IT staff watching for threats 24/7.
- You store client data, intellectual property, financial information, all gold dust to hackers.
- And worst of all, if something does go wrong, you don’t have the same recovery resources that bigger companies do.
Many small business owners (especially women like Claire, juggling a team, clients, and compliance) live with a quiet anxiety about tech. Not because you don’t care, but because you don’t feel fully in control.
You deserve better than that.
"That Wouldn’t Happen to Me"...... Until It Does
Let me share a conversation I had with a small business owner last year. Let’s call her Amy. She runs a design studio just outside Nottingham, with 12 staff and some big-name clients.
She rang me in a panic one Monday morning.
“Our server’s locked. We can’t access any of our files. There’s a message saying we’ve been encrypted.”
Amy had clicked a link in what looked like a Dropbox email from a client. Within hours, ransomware had taken over their systems. And because their backups were stored on the same network, those were gone too.
The result?
- 4 days of downtime
- £18,000 in lost revenue
- One furious client
- A sleepless fortnight
And Amy? She’s smart. She’s experienced. But she wasn’t prepared. Why would she be? No one had ever told her the risks in a way that made sense.
What Can You Do, Starting Now?
You don’t need to be scared, but you do need to be savvy.
Here’s a practical, honest action plan. No jargon. No drama. Just what you can do to protect your business today, without turning into an overnight IT expert.
1. Audit Your Systems
When was the last time you updated your software? Is your antivirus up to scratch? Do you have multi-factor authentication switched on?
These basics are your first line of defence. If you’re not sure, get a second opinion, ideally from a local managed service provider you trust.
2. Separate Your Backups
Backups saved to your desktop or network drive aren’t really backups. You need off-site, cloud-based solutions that can be restored even if your main system is compromised.
Ask your IT provider if your backups are air-gapped or ransomware-proof.
3. Train Your Team Like You’d Train New Drivers
A lot of cyberattacks start with human error, a misplaced click, a dodgy download, a weak password. Training doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, regular 15-minute refreshers can do wonders.
Make it part of your onboarding process. Make it part of your culture.
4. Get Proactive Support, Not Just a Helpline
This one’s big. A lot of small businesses think they have “IT support” because they’ve got someone they can ring when things go wrong.
But true outsourced IT support isn’t just reactive. It’s:
- Monitoring your systems 24/7
- Patching vulnerabilities before hackers find them
- Giving you advice on compliance and cyber essentials
- Helping you plan for growth (without breaking your systems)
The right West Bridgford IT services partner won’t just wait for you to call. They’ll call you.
Why This All Comes Down to Trust
If you’re reading this and nodding, I want to say something clearly:
You are not behind. You are not daft. You are not alone.
You’re running a growing business in a fast-changing world, and the fact that you’re thinking about cybersecurity puts you ahead of the curve.
But don’t let worry turn into paralysis. Let it turn into action.
You deserve a setup that works without needing daily babysitting. You deserve answers, not acronyms. You deserve a partner who makes you feel smart, not small.
We’re Not Just Techies, We’re Your Safety Net
If you’ve been meaning to “get around to sorting the IT,” consider this your nudge. Or if you’re wondering if your current setup is really protecting you… we can take a look.
We offer:
- Cybersecurity for small businesses tailored to your size, systems, and sector
- Managed service provider packages that grow with you, not against you
- Outsourced IT support that feels like part of your team, not some ticketing system in a distant call centre
We’re based here, in your community. We speak plain English, and not geek speak. And we care about your business like it’s our own.
Final Thoughts
Running a small business is a bit like trying to juggle while riding a unicycle through a rainstorm. You’ve got enough to handle without worrying about who might be sneaking into your digital front door.
So let’s lock that door.
Let’s sort the locks, check the windows, and maybe even get a friendly dog on patrol (metaphorically speaking).
Because when you know your tech is covered, you lead with confidence.
No fear. No fire-fighting. Just calm control.
Use the button below to book a 10 minute Discovery Call, and we will discuss how we can better protect your business from the bad guys, to help you sleep better at night, knowing that you have one less thing to worry about.
Also, don’t forget to sign up to our free weekly Cyber Security Tips, delivered to your inbox every Tuesday, link also in description below.
