20 Essential Cyber Security Facts for 2025: Protect Your Digital Life

At Labyrinth Technology, we know how overwhelming the cyber threat landscape can feel, especially for small and medium businesses. Whether you’re just starting to develop a cyber security strategy or you’ve already faced a cyber attack, staying informed is crucial. Here are 20 essential cyber security facts and statistics to help you identify cyber security risks, understand what’s at stake, and strengthen your cyber defences.

Cyber Security Facts and Stats

1. 29% of small businesses in the UK experienced a cyber attack in the last year.

[Source: UK Government Cyber Security Breaches Survey]

If you think cyber crime is only a problem for large companies, think again. Small and medium businesses are a favourite target because they often don’t have a formal cyber security strategy or in-house security teams. It’s vital to take preventative steps early. Start with Cyber Essentials, ensure basic controls are in place, and educate your staff on common threats.

2. The average cost of a cyber security breach for a UK business is £19,400.

[Source: Nybble]

That number isn’t just a scare tactic. It reflects real financial costs, including downtime, lost data, recovery, and reputational damage. For medium businesses, this could severely affect operations. This is where risk management, cyber insurance, and regular backup and recovery planning come in.

3. Phishing attacks remain the most common form of cyber attack in the UK.

[Source: UK Government Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025]

Phishing is cheap, easy for criminals to launch, and still incredibly effective. These emails or messages trick users into handing over credentials or downloading malware. Training your team regularly on how to spot phishing attacks is non-negotiable. Use email filtering, multifactor authentication, and reporting systems for suspicious messages.

4. The larger the business, the more likely they are to experience cyber crime.

[Source: UK Government Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025]

Don’t let this fact fool you. Even small and medium businesses are not safe at all. Breaches and attacks have become the norm for so many businesses that even as your business scales, your cyber security strategy needs to scale too. It was reported that 18% of micro businesses experienced cyber crime, 25% for small businesses, 43% of medium businesses, and 52% of all large businesses have experienced cyber crime.

5. In 2025, the most common source of information and guidance was external cyber security consultants, IT consultants or cyber security providers.

[Source: UK Government Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025]

Businesses like Labyrinth Technology are the main source of information for cyber security, security risks information, and security breaches. Get in touch with us and we can help you protect against any potential breaches and attacks!

6. Ransomware attacks surged by 50% in the final three months of 2024, building on the 100% increase that had already happened in the three months prior.

[Source: Norton]

Ransomware is now one of the most feared types of attack. It encrypts your data and demands payment. Backup strategies, employee awareness, endpoint protection, and external reporting to national cyber security authorities all form part of a strong response.

7. 82% of ransomware attacks target small businesses.

[Source: Bit Defender]

Cyber criminals know that smaller companies are more likely to pay the ransom to get their data back. Don’t make yourself an easy target. Use offline backups, restrict user access to sensitive data, and make sure your antivirus software is up to date.

8. The cost of cyber crime is expected to hit $10.5 trillion globally by 2025.

[Source: Cybersecurity Ventures]

This isn’t just an IT issue. It’s a business issue. Every part of your company can be affected, from sales and finance to customer service. That’s why cyber security needs to be discussed at the senior management level. It’s about protecting the future of your business.

9. The National Cyber Security Centre blocked over 2.7 million cyber attacks in one year.

[Source: NCSC Annual Review]

That’s just the tip of the iceberg. The NCSC helps shield the UK’s digital infrastructure, but your company is still responsible for its own cyber defences. Don’t assume you’re safe just because you’re not a big name. Threats are everywhere, and many are automated.

10. 59% of organisations that suffered their first software supply chain attack did not have a response strategy. 

[Source: Purplesec]

You might trust your suppliers, but if they get breached, you could too. Attackers often use smaller businesses as a way into bigger networks. Ask suppliers about their cyber security practices. Include them in your own security audits and reviews.

11. 60% of small businesses shut down within six months of a major data breach.

[Source: BZBIT]

This is a shocking stat, but it’s real. The combination of reputational damage, legal fallout, and financial loss can be too much to recover from. Having a security strategy in place reduces that risk. Prevention really is better than cure here.

12. 95% of cyber security breaches are caused by human error.

[Source: Info Security]

It’s easy to blame the IT team when something goes wrong, but most breaches come down to people making mistakes. Training, strong password policies, and limiting access to sensitive information can reduce the risks posed by everyday actions.

13. Malware attacks increased by 87% last year.

[Source: Tech Target]

Malicious software comes in many forms, and it’s getting smarter. Once it’s inside your system, it can steal data, spy on activity, or shut everything down. Keep all software up to date, monitor your systems for unusual behaviour, and use antivirus tools properly.

14. 38% of UK businesses has no cyber insurance.

[Source: UK Government Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025]

Cyber insurance isn’t just a nice-to-have anymore. It helps cover costs linked to recovery, legal claims, and reputational management. If you’re serious about risk management, speak to an expert and get covered. It could be the difference between survival and collapse.

15. 74% of internet users worry about the safety of their personal information online.

[Source: Bit Defender]

Your customers care about how you handle their data. A major data breach won’t just cost you financially, it’ll cost you trust. Make privacy a part of your brand. Be transparent, follow best practices, and show customers that you value their sensitive data.

16. Cyber criminals are using AI to make attacks more convincing.

[Source: Akamai]

We’re now seeing deepfake phishing scams and AI-written malware. As cyber threats become more advanced, your defences must evolve too. Invest in smarter security tools, review your strategy often, and stay informed about the latest cyber crime statistics.

17. 85% of UK organisations experienced a phishing scam in the last year

[Source: UK Government Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025]

It’s not a question of “if” you’ll get hit with phishing attacks, but “when.” Simulated phishing training, reporting tools, and multi-layered email filtering can help protect your users from clicking the wrong link.

18. Lost or stolen credentials are the root cause of 61% of data breaches

[Source: Think Digital Partners]

Weak, reused, or shared passwords are still a major cyber security risk. Use password managers, require multi-factor authentication, and restrict admin access. Make sure your team knows never to share login details, even internally.

19. The average ransomware demand is now over £1,500,000.

[Source: Sophos State of Ransomware Report]

Paying a ransom doesn’t guarantee you’ll get your data back. It also puts a target on your back. Build your defences so you’re not forced into that decision. Test your backups, isolate infected systems quickly, and involve external experts if needed.

20. Cyber security jobs are growing three times faster than other tech roles

[Source: Techerati]

That tells you just how serious the threat is. There’s a growing demand for skilled professionals, which means small businesses need to think strategically. If you can’t build an in-house team, consider outsourcing to specialists like Labyrinth to protect your systems.

How Labyrinth Can Help Your Company

At Labyrinth Technology, we provide tailored cyber security solutions for small and medium businesses that don’t have the time or resources to manage everything internally. From building a robust cyber security strategy to managing day-to-day protection and compliance, we take the pressure off your shoulders. Our team can help you meet Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus standards, monitor for unusual activity, train your staff, and implement powerful security tools that fit your business and budget. We also offer support in preparing for and responding to security breaches, ensuring that your business bounces back quickly if the worst happens.

Cyber threats are always evolving, but so are we. We stay up to date with the latest trends, tools, and threat intelligence to keep your business ahead of the curve. Whether you need advice on cyber insurance, help with securing your supply chain, or guidance after a cyber incident, we’re ready to help.

Conclusion: Stay Informed, Stay Protected

Cyber crime isn’t slowing down, and no business is too small to be targeted. These cyber security facts and statistics highlight just how serious the risks are, but they also show what you can do to reduce your exposure. With a strong cyber security strategy, regular training, and the right technology in place, you can protect your business and build trust with your clients.

If you’re ready to take cyber security seriously, Labyrinth Technology is here to support you. Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you secure your systems, protect your data, and prepare for whatever the cyber threat landscape throws your way.