The financial burden of cyber attacks was largely borne by small businesses in the UK last year , according to research conducted by business intelligence provider Beaming . The puts the total cost of cyber crime across all UK small businesses in 2018 at an estimated £13.6bn. Almost two - thirds ( 63 % ) of small businesses ( those employing between 10 and and 49 people ) were affected by cyber crime in 2018 , which cost them £ 13.6bn ( $ 18bn ) and amounted to 80 % of the total financial impact on all UK businesses . The proportion of small business victims of cyber crime has increased since 2017 , when the figure was 47 % .
The financial burden of cyber attacks was largely borne by small businesses in the UK last year , according to research conducted by business intelligence provider Beaming . Almost two - thirds ( 63 % ) of small businesses ( those employing between 10 and and 49 people ) were affected by cyber crime in 2018 , which cost them £ 13.6bn ( $ 18bn ) and amounted to 80 % of the total financial impact on all UK businesses . The proportion of small business victims of cyber crime has increased since 2017 , when the figure was 47 % .