Cyber attacks aren’t slowing down: they’re scaling up.
This year alone, big names like M&S, British Library, and NHS trusts have made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Data breaches, ransomware attacks, and operational shutdowns are no longer rare events, they’re daily risks. For most businesses, the uncomfortable truth is this: you’re a target whether you like it or not.
The risk is rising, but the ability to respond isn’t. Cybersecurity demands have outpaced the resources most businesses have on hand: it isn’t just about firewalls and passwords anymore. It’s about having the strategic know-how to anticipate, prevent and respond to ever-evolving threats, and most businesses simply don’t have enough of that in-house.
The reality is, it’s not just the big enterprises getting hit. Cyber criminals are opportunists, and they’re getting smarter, faster, and more sophisticated. Smaller and mid-sized organisations are now increasingly targeted, precisely because they often lack the expertise or resources to fight back.
And when something does go wrong, it’s not just a technical issue. It’s reputational. Operational. Financial. A single breach can take down a business for days, cost millions in lost revenue, and erode customer trust overnight. M&S estimated £300m hit to profits this year from the cyber-attack that disrupted its online business.
The talent shortage only makes it worse. There simply aren’t enough experienced cybersecurity experts to meet the growing demand, and hiring a full-time Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is expensive. For many organisations, it’s simply not realistic.
Bridging the Cyber Gap with vCISO Support
This is where a vCISO (virtual Chief Information Security Officer) becomes a game-changer.
A vCISO from Intercity offers an effective, strategic route to senior security leadership, tailored to your business needs and scale, giving you direct access to C-level expertise without the full-time cost. You get a seasoned professional who helps assess your risks, improve your defences, build a culture of security and align your team behind a clear, achievable roadmap. You also get structured reporting tailored for different parts of the business, from technical deep dives for IT leaders to strategic board-level updates that build trust and show results.
It's not just about plugging a gap, it’s about levelling up. A vCISO helps you move from reactive firefighting to proactive protection. They don’t just protect your data, they protect your business, your people and your future.
Because in today’s world, cybersecurity isn’t optional. It’s foundational. And every business benefits from leadership that recognises this.
Ready to strengthen your team? Talk to us about how an Intercity vCISO can help protect your business, reduce risk, and build resilience. Get in touch today.