The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has launched a new IT guide aimed specifically at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Securing Value in the Online World includes advice on how to deal with viruses, cyber crime and online attack in the supply chain and is being taught through a series of regional workshops.

A recent CBI survey showed that although 60 per cent of medium-sized firms engage with their suppliers, partners or clients online, over half of these plans did not have any security measures in place.

It was found that medium-sized companies, who were more likely to integrate with large firms as well as trade with smaller ones, were putting themselves at more risk.

John Cridland, CBI deputy director general, said that many medium-sized firms could not always afford extensive IT systems to protect themselves and their customers.

"We hope this guide will become akin to firms having their own IT consultant, available for advice when you need it. The online threat is constantly evolving so this is not a one-off exercise," he said.

Antony Smyth, Ernst & Young partner for information assurance, said that in their efforts to improve IT security, businesses could be easily distracted by media headlines and miss the real threat.

"One weak link in a supply chain can bring down all the other members. Be sure you are not the weakest link," he added.

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