Small businesses in the UK may be heading towards a cybersecurity crisis, as one out of every five business owners admits that they would have to close down within three months following a data breach. A recent survey of 1,000 SME owners revealed that they are collectively facing potential annual losses of up to £100,000 due to unexpected security repairs and costs related to malware recovery.
Despite the risks involved, 58% of small business owners connect to public Wi-Fi networks, with 15% accessing sensitive work documents through these networks. Alarming working practices were uncovered, with nearly a third (32%) of SMEs admitting to working from coffee shops and 24% from public transport at least once a week.
While many cybersecurity breaches are attributed to phishing attacks and lack of staff awareness, a concerning 67% of businesses have not implemented any new cybersecurity measures in the past year. Furthermore, 45% of businesses provide no cybersecurity training, leaving them exposed to potential threats.
The study, conducted to introduce the Galaxy S26 Ultra Enterprise Edition, features a video with cybersecurity expert Stephen Libby, winner of the 2026 Traitors award, emphasizing the risks associated with poor digital security practices in the workplace.
Stephen Libby stated, “Cybersecurity breaches pose significant threats to businesses, especially SMEs. A single incident could disrupt operations or even lead to business closure. With a growing amount of work being carried out on mobile devices, it is crucial for businesses to use devices equipped with robust built-in security features to protect sensitive information.”
Business owners are well aware of cybersecurity threats such as phishing scams, malware, unauthorized apps, rooting/firmware tampering, and snooping. However, one in five admitted they would not recognize if their device had been hacked, and 58% download apps or software onto work devices without checking security permissions.
A notable 23% have left their devices unlocked and unattended in public places, and 31% never use physical privacy screens to safeguard their data. Additionally, three-quarters use their mobile phones for work, but almost half (49%) do not prioritize cybersecurity when selecting devices.
Samsung’s Annika Bizon highlighted the importance of cybersecurity for small and medium businesses, pointing out that they are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals due to a lack of enterprise-grade protection. She emphasized the need for technology that provides advanced security tools to help businesses proactively safeguard sensitive data in any work environment.