Safer Internet Day is an important reminder that cyber security is no longer just an IT issue. Safe cyber security depends heavily on people, not just technology. As cyber threats continue to increase in frequency and sophistication, organisations of all sizes are being targeted, often through simple human error.

For businesses, the question is no longer whether cyber-attacks happen, but how prepared their people are to prevent them.

The Reality of Cyber Risk for UK Businesses

Cybercrime is now one of the most significant risks facing UK organisations. According to the UK Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025, 43 percent of UK businesses experienced a cyber breach or attack in the past 12 months. For medium and large organisations, the likelihood is even higher.

Phishing attacks remain the most common form of breach, demonstrating that cyber criminals are increasingly targeting employees rather than systems. These attacks rely on deception, poor awareness and rushed decision‑making, making untrained staff a primary vulnerability.

The same government survey also highlights the financial impact. The average cost of the most disruptive breach was around £1,600, rising significantly when indirect costs such as lost productivity, recovery time and reputational damage are considered. While this figure may appear modest in isolation, repeated incidents and larger breaches can quickly escalate costs.

Consequences of Weak Cyber Security

The impact of weak cyber security goes far beyond financial loss. Businesses that suffer breaches often experience:

Operational disruption and downtime
Loss of sensitive or personal data
Damage to customer trust and reputation
Regulatory and legal consequences

Research shows that cyber-attacks have cost UK businesses tens of billions of pounds over recent years, with more than half of organisations reporting at least one incident during that time. For smaller businesses in particular, the consequences can be severe, with some struggling to recover fully after a serious breach.

Crucially, many of these incidents could have been prevented with better awareness and training.

The Human Factor in Cyber Security

Cyber security failures are rarely caused by technology alone. Government and industry research consistently shows that human behaviour plays a role in most cyber breaches, whether through clicking malicious links, using weak passwords or failing to recognise suspicious activity.

This is why cyber security training is so important. Firewalls, antivirus software and system controls are essential, but they are only effective when employees understand how to work securely and recognise threats.

Without training, staff may not realise that everyday actions such as opening emails, sharing files or using public Wi‑Fi can expose the business to risk.

Why Cyber Security Training Is Essential for Every Business

Effective cyber security training helps employees:

Recognise phishing emails and social engineering tactics
Understand how to protect passwords and sensitive information
Follow secure working practices both in the office and remotely
Respond correctly to potential security incidents

Organisations that invest in regular cyber security awareness training significantly reduce the risk of breaches caused by human error. Training also builds confidence, ensuring employees feel capable of acting responsibly rather than fearful of making mistakes.

Importantly, cyber security training supports compliance and demonstrates due diligence, which is increasingly important in regulated industries and when handling personal data.

Supporting a Strong Security Culture

A strong cyber security culture starts with leadership and is reinforced through education. When employees understand why cyber security matters and how their actions contribute to keeping the business safe, security becomes part of everyday behaviour rather than an afterthought.

Training should not be a one‑off exercise. Cyber threats evolve constantly, which means awareness and knowledge must be refreshed regularly to remain effective.

Cyber Security Training with ClickHSE

At ClickHSE, our Cyber Security Training course is designed to give employees the practical knowledge they need to protect themselves and their organisation. The course covers common threats, safe online behaviours and how to recognise and respond to cyber risks in the workplace.

The training is suitable for businesses of all sizes and sectors and helps ensure employees understand their role in maintaining cyber security.

Cyber Security Training

from £25.00

Our introduction course to online cyber security is a 40 minute e-learning training package introducing staff to why cyber security is an important lesson detailing how attacks can happen, along what points on how to protect themselves and their company from such security breaches.

CPD approved eLearning course content
Mobile friendly course design suitable for most phones and tablets
Instantly print a fully personalised certificate on completion
This course takes around 45 minutes to complete
This course provides 1 hour of CPD credit

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A Safer Internet Starts at Work

Safer Internet Day is an opportunity for organisations to reflect on how prepared they really are for today’s cyber risks. With cyber attacks affecting nearly half of UK businesses each year, investing in cyber security training is no longer optional.

By educating employees, strengthening awareness and embedding secure behaviours, businesses can significantly reduce risk and build a safer digital future for everyone.