Cyber security in London is not just a concern for large enterprises. SMEs are targeted constantly — often precisely because attackers know smaller businesses are less likely to have robust defences in place. Cyber crime is no longer something that only happens to large organisations. The majority of attacks now target small and medium-sized businesses — and they succeed because the fundamentals are not in place. No multi-factor authentication. Software that hasn’t been updated. Staff who clicked a link in a convincing email. These are not failures of technology, they are failures of management, and they are entirely preventable.
We manage cyber security for London SMEs as part of a fixed-fee IT support contract. Not as an add-on or an afterthought — as a core part of the service.
Why London SMEs are targeted
Small businesses hold genuinely valuable data: client records, payment details, supplier relationships, staff information, and often access into their clients’ own systems. At the same time, most SMEs invest significantly less in security than larger organisations. Attackers are aware of this gap.
Automated tools mean that a business with 10 employees is just as likely to receive a phishing campaign as one with 1,000. The difference is that the larger organisation is more likely to have the monitoring in place to detect it, and the technical controls in place to stop it. We give SMEs the same standard of protection.
The key threats facing London businesses
Phishing
Phishing — fraudulent emails designed to steal login credentials, trigger payments, or deliver malware — is the entry point for the majority of cyber attacks. It is increasingly convincing. AI tools have made it possible to generate phishing emails without the spelling errors and awkward phrasing that used to be the giveaway. The defences are email filtering, safe link scanning, staff awareness training, and — most importantly — multi-factor authentication, which stops an attacker from using stolen credentials even if they obtain them.
For a plain-English explanation of one of the strongest defences against phishing, see our post on what makes a good passphrase and why length matters more than complexity.
Ransomware
Ransomware encrypts the files on a device or network share, making them inaccessible, then demands payment for the decryption key. Most ransomware enters a business through a phishing email or a compromised remote access connection. Payment does not guarantee recovery — and the business may still face regulatory consequences if personal data was exposed during the attack.
Protection requires a combination of controls: endpoint security, email filtering, patched software, restricted access controls, and independent backup. The backup is the recovery option of last resort — everything else is aimed at stopping the ransomware reaching your files in the first place.
Insider threats
Not all security incidents involve an external attacker. A departing employee with unrevoked access, a contractor who was given broader permissions than necessary, or a member of staff who accidentally exposes sensitive data are all common causes of data loss. We manage user access controls and offboarding procedures as part of our standard service, so accounts are disabled promptly and access is removed at the point it is no longer needed.
AI-powered attacks
Artificial intelligence has made attacks significantly harder to spot. Phishing emails that once gave themselves away through poor grammar and odd phrasing are now indistinguishable from legitimate messages. Deepfake voice calls — where an attacker impersonates a colleague or director — are being used to authorise fraudulent payments. Automated tools can probe your systems around the clock, identifying vulnerabilities faster than any human attacker could. The volume and sophistication of attacks facing London SMEs has increased sharply as a result.
Supply chain attacks
SMEs are increasingly targeted not for their own data, but because they are a supplier to a larger organisation. Attackers compromise a smaller business first, then use that access to reach the real target. If you supply services to larger companies, public sector bodies, or regulated businesses, your security posture is under scrutiny whether you realise it or not.
What our cyber security service covers
Threat monitoring
Continuous monitoring of your environment for signs of compromise, unusual activity, and security policy violations. We use Microsoft’s Defender toolset and endpoint detection to surface threats before they cause damage.
Email security
Configuration of anti-phishing policies, safe link scanning, and safe attachment checking for your email environment. For Microsoft 365 clients, this uses the security tools built into your licence — the tools are there, they just need to be switched on and properly configured. See our Microsoft 365 security management page for the full detail on what this covers.
Endpoint protection
Antivirus and endpoint detection across every device that connects to your business systems. We manage this centrally, verify that protection is active and up to date, and respond to alerts. We also enforce device compliance policies so that only devices meeting your security baseline can access company data.
MFA enforcement
Multi-factor authentication enforced across every account, with no exceptions. This is the single most effective control against account compromise. For more on how MFA works and why it matters, see our comparison of MFA vs 2FA.
Patch management
Operating system and software updates applied consistently across your devices. Unpatched software is one of the most common ways attackers gain access to a business network. We manage patching centrally so nothing is missed.
Security audits
Regular review of your security posture: what is in place, what is not, and where the highest-impact improvements lie. For Microsoft 365 clients, we use Microsoft Secure Score as a running measure and work through improvements systematically.
Staff awareness
Security awareness guidance for your team — what to look for in a phishing email, how to verify an unusual request, and what to do if something looks wrong. Human error is involved in the majority of security incidents. A team that knows what to look for is a meaningful layer of defence.
Mobile device security
Personal devices used for work — whether company-issued or employee-owned — are one of the most common security blind spots for SMEs. Unmanaged phones and tablets can access your email, Teams, and SharePoint without any of the controls applied to your office machines. Network Fish can extend your security policies to mobile devices through Microsoft Intune, enforcing encryption, remote wipe, and conditional access. See our mobile device management service for more detail.
Cyber Essentials
Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed certification that tests your defences against the most common cyber attacks. It covers five key controls: firewalls, secure configuration, user access control, malware protection, and patch management. Network Fish can prepare your business for certification and work through the assessment with you.
For businesses supplying government contracts or working in regulated sectors, Cyber Essentials Plus goes a step further — it involves independent technical verification of your controls rather than a self-assessment. An increasing number of procurement frameworks now require Plus as a condition of contract.
Part of your managed support contract
For Network Fish managed support clients, cyber security management is included as part of the service, not priced separately. You get threat monitoring, email security configuration, endpoint protection, MFA enforcement, patch management, and Cyber Essentials readiness support — all covered by your fixed monthly fee.
One monthly fee. One number to call.
The day-to-day work of keeping your business secure becomes our job, not yours.
