THE NHS ransomware attack should be seen as a wake up call for businesses to train staff in basic cyber security, irrespective of the company’s sector or size.

Within hours of the WannaCry malware being detonated last Friday, hospitals and GP surgeries were reporting cancellations and delays.

More than 200,000 machines in 150 countries had been crippled.

Although the scale of this single ransomware attack on a high-profile public service is more serious than anything we’ve witnessed before, such incidents are more common than many businesses realise and the number is growing.

We’ve seen SMEs of all sizes affected by similar cyber attacks.

It’s devastating for a massive organisation like the NHS so you can imagine how it can cripple a small firm.

According to recent analysis from Beaming, the average UK SME suffered more than 1,000 cyber assaults on its firewall every day in 2016.

But there has also been a steady rise in attacks that take place in front of the firewall and there’s a limit to how far they can be contained and prevented by technology – and the criminals know it.

Your first and best defence against these cyber crimes is your own staff.

It comes down to individuals within your organisation knowing how to spot something that looks suspicious, such as an attachment in an email, and knowing not to touch it.

Mark Bennett is CEO of Bennett Christmas Insurance Brokers in Burgess Hill