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Outsourcing
IT support to a third party could benefit some businesses that deal online, according to a new report.

A survey conducted earlier this year by Get Safe Online, with the Serious Organised Crime Agency and leading businesses, found that only five per cent of small businesses have access to dedicated IT support.

This is despite the fact that 36 per cent of small businesses have been affected by a computer virus and 60 per cent of those questioned claimed that their business would not be able to operate without a functioning IT system

Tony Neate, managing director of the government campaign, said that for busy business owners, IT support was often "the last thing on your mind", but added that it could be beneficial.

"[Third-party IT support] certainly can help but it can be very expensive, and people need to be aware of that.

"What I would advise is that anyone who transacts online and sells their services and goods might need to bring in a third party to look at security," he said.

However, Mr Neate added that anti-virus and anti-spyware software was becoming more efficient and that it could be sufficient for businesses with less specific IT needs.

A recent Connect survey found that the two major concerns about outsourcing services like IT support were 'loss of control' (56 per cent) and 'budget over-runs' (43 per cent).