Manchester-based global cyber security expert NCC Group has said the general level of cyber threat has increased amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a trading update on Monday, the group said the increase was due to higher levels of remote working across its client base and the wider economy.
The group said: “We have seen early evidence of bad actors already seeking to exploit the situation.
“We believe these factors will provide us with additional opportunities as businesses adapt to this new working environment.”
In the update, the group also said it anticipates a fall in revenues - specifically in its cyber assurance division - as a result of coronavirus.
The group said it experienced both delays and cancellations in the third quarter across the Asia-Pacific region and delays and cancellations in Europe since the beginning of March.
NCC Group is withdrawing current guidance until normal operations resume as it is “difficult to assess” the impact cancelled and delayed projects will have on revenues, despite it being forecast to trade profitably in March.
“We will provide a further trading update following the close of our year ending 31 May 2020,” it said.
The group said it is entering the “challenging period” in “robust health”.
It comes after the group reported half-year profit and revenue growth in January.
Chief executive Adam Palser said: “NCC Group is fully open for business having taken steps to enable remote working with clients across the firm.
“We believe that the group is well placed to manage its business risks successfully and take advantage of any opportunities once the global pandemic has subsided.
“Therefore, our objective is for NCC Group to emerge from the turbulence caused by Covid-19 in strong shape.
He continued: “To that end we intend to preserve our specialist delivery capabilities and will balance short-term cost saving actions against this priority.
“The board and executive management will closely monitor the emerging situation and, if required, will introduce further mitigating actions.”
The group said it intends to announce its results for the year ended May 31 on July 23.
