LOCAL firms are being urged to test their cyber awareness and security after research showed nearly half of manufacturers have failed to increase investment in cyber security.

Manufacturers’ body EEF says many companies could be unknowingly leaving themselves vulnerable to a cyber attack,with smaller businesses most at risk.

EEF is offering a free online test to help companies benchmark their cyber awareness.

Its research revealed that 56 per cent of small firms under invested in cyber security while two in ten firms are not actively making employees aware of cyber risks.

It said government figures show that, last year, 90 per cent of large businesses and 74 per cent of small firms reported a cyber security breach – higher than 2014. The average cost of these breaches was between £1.46 million to £3.14 million for a large firm and £7,000 to £311,000 for a small business.

Andy Tuscher, EEF Yorkshire regional director, said this was of concern because manufacturing is on the cusp of a fourth industrial revolution driven by rapid advances and take up in technology, which will bring huge opportunities, but also risks.

He said: “As technology and data play ever more critical roles in manufacturing, companies will inevitably find themselves more vulnerable to cyber threats.

“The fact is that technology will transform our industry, opening up immense opportunities and possibilities. But risks run alongside the rewards and it’s important that manufacturers are able to identify, understand and put the correct strategies in place to keep their businesses safe and cyber secure.”

Companies can take the free test at: eef.org.uk/fourthindustrial.

EEF’s call came as telecomms company Talk Talk revealed that full-year profits more than halved as it took a £42 million hit from last October’s cyber attack,which resulted in the personal data of nearly 160,000 people being accessed.and the loss of 101,000 subscribers.