Here’s a challenge that we’ve been thinking about. Do you think it’s possible to significantly reduce the threat of cybercrime right here on our doorstep?
Could we set our sights on bringing local businesses together to protect ourselves and each other?
One of the things that we love about being part of the local Ipswich business community is the way that businesses of all sizes and all sectors will come together to support one another and share successes and celebrations. We want to tap into that sense of community and togetherness and explain how the cybersecurity defences we set up to protect ourselves could be vital for protecting those around us.
When you secure your systems, you close a door that criminals could use to reach others. If every business in our town took simple, consistent steps, those small actions could add up to real protection for the whole supply chain and successfully protect Ipswich and Suffolk.
With that in mind, let’s look at how we can turn cybersecurity protection for Ipswich businesses into a team sport that we can all participate in.
Protecting Suffolk businesses from cybercrime shouldn’t take place in a silo
If you read our previous articles, you’ll know that we’ve long argued that cybersecurity isn’t just the responsibility of your IT team. Ownership of your cybersecurity strategy needs to be shared across leadership, HR, legal, communications and compliance teams.
There are so many different facets that need to be thought through that you all need to work collectively to ensure that everyone is working towards the same single goal. To keep your Ipswich business safe from harm, and to protect you from the real risks of data loss and hacking.
If we are going to be serious about making Ipswich safer for businesses, then we need to be together in that shared responsibility and understand what this truly means from a technical perspective as well as the community perspective.
What “shared responsibility” actually means for your business
The technical perspective.
When using cloud services like AWS, Microsoft, or Google, cybersecurity is a shared responsibility between you and the provider. Here’s how it breaks down:
What the cloud provider secures – Physical data centres, servers, networking, and the core infrastructure that keep services running.
What your business has to secure – Your data, user access, account settings, app usage, and the security of devices connecting to the cloud.
Think of it like this: the provider secures the building (its structure, locks, and alarms). But you decide who gets a key, which rooms they can enter, and what they can do inside. If you leave a door unlocked or give out keys carelessly, the building’s security won’t protect you.
Understanding this division helps you focus your efforts where they matter most: securing your configurations, access controls, and devices. That’s where tools like Cyber Essentials come in because they help ensure your part of the responsibility is covered.
The individual perspective
If we stay with this same analogy, hackers aren’t breaking down the doors to your building; they are accidentally being handed the keys by your employees.
It is estimated that up to 95% of all cyberattacks begin with human error, whether that’s inadvertently clicking on a malicious link or failing to recognise a phishing scam.
We’re always pointing out that every single person in your business has a role to play in your cybersecurity strategy because every account, laptop or SaaS licence is a potential entry point. One weak password, one unpatched device or one misconfigured app can create a path for attackers to move laterally into suppliers and clients.
That’s why employee education and training are vital for your business security mechanisms.
Securing your business strengthens the entire Ipswich business community
In a tightly connected business community like Ipswich, cybersecurity isn’t just about protecting your own systems; it’s about protecting everyone you work with.
There are two major risks associated with a compromised business.
Technical exposure: If a hacker gains access to one company, they may be able to move laterally into others through shared platforms, client portals, or integrated systems. One weak link can become a gateway to many.
Financial fallout: A serious breach can bankrupt a business, and when that business is part of a supply chain, the consequences ripple outward. Clients may lose access to critical services, suppliers may lose revenue, and partners may face reputational damage or operational disruption. In extreme cases, the collapse of one company can destabilise an entire network.
The August 2025 cybersecurity attack on Jaguar Land Rover is a prime example of this.
The attack is thought to be the costliest attack in UK history, with reports suggesting the UK economy has lost as much as £1.9bn as a result. It is thought that as many as 5,000 businesses across the supply chain have been affected in total, with the government stepping in to prevent those businesses from going bankrupt and causing unprecedented job losses.
Ciaran Martin, chair of the CMC’s technical committee, said:
“With a cost of nearly £2bn, this incident looks to have been by some distance the single most financially damaging cyber event ever to hit the UK.
“That should make us all pause and think. Every organisation needs to identify the networks that matter to them, and how to protect them better, and then plan for how they’d cope if the network gets disrupted.”
Source: BBC News, JLR hack is costliest cyber attack in UK history, say analysts, 22 October 2025
But here’s the good news: when each business takes responsibility for its own security (such as using strong passwords, enabling multifactor authentication (MFA), keeping devices updated, and backing up data securely), it creates a ripple effect and strengthens the entire security ecosystem.
These small actions raise the baseline of protection for everyone.
For Suffolk businesses bidding on high-value contracts like those in the Sizewell C supply chain, demonstrating consistent cybersecurity practices isn’t just good hygiene. It’s a competitive advantage. When Ipswich companies adopt national best-practice standards like Cyber Essentials, you’re not only protecting yourselves but also contributing to a reputation for reliability and resilience across the region.
Cyber Essentials is the start to making Ipswich safer
Cyber Essentials isn’t just a checklist to show to your supply chain. It’s a proven way to reduce risk.
91% of businesses certified under the scheme report that they feel more confident in being protected in the event of an attack (source: Cyber Essentials impact evaluation, October 2024).
This is because it focuses on five core security controls: firewalls, secure configuration, access control, malware protection, and patch management.
Let’s imagine what the impact could be if every business in Ipswich adopted those same best practices. We wouldn’t just be protecting individual companies; we’d be raising the security baseline for the entire region.
If Ipswich became a town where every business is Cyber Essentials-certified, we would naturally become:
- A harder target for attackers
- A more resilient supply chain
- A more attractive destination for investment and collaboration
By embedding these safety mechanisms across our local economy, Ipswich could become one of the safest and most cyber-aware business communities in the UK.
That would be an amazing achievement, wouldn’t it?
Talk to us today to find out how Lucid Systems can manage your Cyber Essentials application and help you become part of a stronger, safer Ipswich.
Frequently asked questions
Why is cybersecurity a shared responsibility in Ipswich?
Cybersecurity affects more than just individual businesses, it impacts the entire supply chain. When one business is compromised, attackers can move laterally into others through shared platforms or integrated systems. By securing your own systems, you help protect everyone you work with.
How can my business contribute to a safer Ipswich?
Start by adopting consistent cybersecurity practices like strong passwords, multifactor authentication (MFA), secure configurations, and regular updates. These small actions raise the baseline of protection for the whole community.
What is the “shared responsibility model” in cybersecurity?
In cloud services, providers secure the infrastructure, while businesses are responsible for securing data, access, and devices. Think of it like a building: the provider secures the structure, but you control who enters and what happens inside.
How does human error contribute to cybercrime?
Up to 95% of cyberattacks begin with human error such as like clicking malicious links or falling for phishing scams. Every employee plays a role in cybersecurity, making education and training essential.
What are the risks if one business in Ipswich is compromised?
There are two major risks:
Technical exposure: Hackers can access other businesses via shared systems.
Financial fallout: A breach can bankrupt a business and destabilise its partners and clients.
How does Cyber Essentials help protect my business and others?
Cyber Essentials focuses on five key controls. Firewalls, Secure configuration, Access control, Malware protection, and Patch management. 91% of businesses certified under the scheme report that they feel more confident in being protected in the event of an attack.
