Is Your North West Business Cyber-Resilient? A 5-Step Roadmap for 2026

For years, many small and medium-sized business owners in the North West have operated under a dangerous myth: “We’re too small to be a target.”

As we move through 2026, the reality has shifted. Cybercriminals no longer hand-pick targets; they use automated AI bots to scan the internet for vulnerabilities. They don’t care about your turnover, they care about your open back doors.

At J700 Group, we believe that security shouldn’t be a mystery. That’s why we’ve launched our 2026 Cyber-Resilience Roadmap, a practical tool designed to move you from vulnerability to absolute resilience.

What is ‘Cyber-Resilience’ (and why is it different from ‘Security’)?

Traditional security is about building a wall. Resilience is about how fast you can bounce back if someone climbs over it.

With the rise of sophisticated phishing and ransomware, “perfect” security is impossible. Resilience, however, is achievable. It means having the training, the backups, and the protocols in place so that an attempted breach is nothing more than a minor blip in your workday, rather than a business-ending event.

The 5 Pillars of the 2026 Roadmap

Our new roadmap breaks down business security into five manageable steps that any MD or Office Manager can audit in 10 minutes:

1. The Human Firewall
   90% of breaches start with a human error. We show you how to turn your staff from your biggest risk into your strongest line of defence.

2. Access Control & MFA
   Stolen passwords are the “master keys” for hackers. We explain why Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is the single most effective way to lock your digital doors.

3. The Safety Net (Backups)
   If your data was encrypted today, how long would it take you to recover? We look at “Immutable Backups”—the ones hackers can’t touch.

4. Continuous Patching
   Old software is a playground for bots. We discuss the “14-day rule” for security updates.

5. Professional Certification
   From Cyber Essentials to industry-specific compliance, we show you how to prove to your clients (and insurers) that you are a safe pair of hands.

Take the Self-Assessment Today

The roadmap isn’t a long-winded technical manual. It’s a 7-page practical guide featuring a Traffic Light Risk Snapshot. You simply answer the questions, mark your risk level (High, Medium, or Low), and see exactly where you need to focus your attention.

Download Your Free Copy

Don’t wait for a “Security Alert” to find out where your gaps are. Join the hundreds of Lancashire businesses already using our roadmap to bulletproof their operations.

Download the 2026 Cyber-Resilience Roadmap

Ready for a deeper dive? Once you’ve completed your self-assessment, book a Free J700 Cyber Audit with our local team to validate your results and secure your future.

Recommended:

• A Free Guide to Securing Your Business
• Understanding the Importance of Business Continuity
• Cybersecurity Services for North West Businesses
• Efficient Office IT Setup Process for Smooth Operations