Firms shift cyber focus from protection to detection
Businesses are shifting their cyber security spend away from traditional "prevent and protect" approaches towards "detect and respond" strategies, according to a study by Pierre Audoin Consultants (PAC). The research found the shift is due to a realisation that cyber attacks are inevitable. The findings reveal that firms struggle to identify cyber breaches with 69% taking between one and six months to discover an attack. Of the 200 businesses polled, 67% had experienced a breach in the past year and all had been affected at some time.
Exciting opportunities for new pop-ups
Research from EE has found that 11.6 million people plan to start their own business within the next two years and almost a third (29%) will start life as a pop-up. EE is supporting the online pop-up marketplace Appear Here and its Space for Ideas competition, which aims to find the UK's next top pop-up entrepreneurs. Winners will receive prime retail space in London for two weeks; an EE 4G Pop-Up Bundle including tablets, smartphones and mobile payments devices; £3,000 to build out their pop-up shop; and ad space in the London Evening Standard.
HMRC gives solicitors last chance to pay up
Solicitors have until 9 June 2015 to tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) about any undeclared income and pay the tax they owe. By coming forward voluntarily, HMRC said any penalties will be lower than if it has to investigate their tax affairs. The Solicitors' Tax Campaign, launched last year, is the latest voluntary disclosure opportunity for specific groups of taxpayers to get their affairs in order on the best available terms. Solicitors can phone a dedicated helpline on 0300 013 4749 or visit www.gov.uk/solicitors-tax-campaign.
Temporary staff used to bridge skills gap
Businesses are increasingly using agency staff for short-term access to key skills according to a new report by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). One in five employers have increased staffing levels over the last year and 84% are using temporary staff to bridge the skills shortage. In particular employers are seeing a shortage in the technical and engineering sector. Graeme McKinnon, managing director of Select Appointments, said: "We are increasingly seeing greater demand and competition for skilled workers, which means temporary staff are being used to bridge the gap."