Small businesses based in the UK are increasingly reliant upon digital systems to operate, whether they want to offer shopping online or simply remain in the bricks and mortar marketplace. But a recent study from 123 Reg has revealed that many firms are not especially savvy about the security risks they face today.

A fifth of the organisations questioned in the report said that they were not certain if they have security measures in place to protect their website from hacks and keep user data safe, or were unclear as to who was responsible for handling this, according to SmallBusiness.co.uk.

Half said that they had not put continuity plans in place to prepare for the aftermath of a successful hack, meaning that the likelihood that recovery would be possible remains slim in many cases.

While millions of attacks are levelled against businesses of all sizes each year, it is not just the incidents which are detected and prevented which need to be considered, but those that fly under the radar and enable cybercriminals to wreak havoc unnoticed.

The report’s authors argue that it is important for any small business which operates a website to ensure that security is up to scratch, especially if the site is designed to offer safe shopping online. This not only means providing protection against brute force attacks, but also addressing other potential weaknesses, such as passwords and login details.

Furthermore, it is suggested that businesses should pay more attention to the reputation of the web hosting firm they use, since there are variables in the quality of the security offered. Consumers are especially sensitive to security issues, so retailers that do not live up to expectations can expect to lose customers to their better prepared rivals.