SMEs and high-tech crime: 'Get your heads out of the sand, or face the consequences...'

Small businesses are being urged to face up to the reality of high-tech crime as evidence emerges that many such companies are ignoring the threats.

The British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) has today launched a campaign to help the UK's SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) sector protect itself from hacks and other technolgy related crimes.

The BCC's Ecommerce Taskforce will work closely with the National High Tech Crime Unit (NHTCU) to encourage cybercrime reporting and increase awareness of hackers and online fraud.

The BCC's Taskforce is drawing up a set of clear instructions for companies on how to avoid potential threats, how to deal with becoming a victim of online crime and what to do when disaster strikes.

Sally Low, senior policy adviser at the BCC, said the aim is to increase co-operation with the NHTCU. "The UK Chamber network is ideally placed to host security roadshows and provide a platform for the NHTCU to spread the word," she said.

Low added that many businesses still don't realise the seriousness of the matter.

"Viruses and hackers are on the top of the agenda when we talk to businesses, but there is a slight misconception that these problems only concern big businesses, not SMEs. There are also an awful lot of companies who don't realise hacking is actually a crime."

Low urged companies to place computer security at the top of their agenda. "Building security into business systems and admitting you might become a victim is a step into the right direction and could achieve long term stability," she said.

Tony Neate, industry liaison oficer at the NHTCU, said:"We are looking for two-way communications between businesses and law enforcement agencies. When firms suffer an incident, they must be confident to report immediately. We are working with business to open up debate and look at ways of addressing high-tech crimes."