Small companies should hire a specialist if they want to deal with data security issues.

While business insurance should cover firms against continuity issues, Graeme Batsman, director of Datadefender.co.uk, thinks it is worthwhile implementing an offline system.

"If you've got a laptop and you take away your internet connection the computer is about 99.99 per cent secure, the only way to get at it is to break into the office," he added.

Mr Batsman went on to note instead of worrying about hackers, firms should merely put provisions in place to ensure important information cannot be accessed through the web.

The expert remarked an offline system is a cheap and simple way to do this.

He was speaking after research by the European Union (EU) discovered people are increasingly worried about the security of online payments and personal information.

In an effort to quell any fears consumers may have, the EU is going to set up the European Cybercrime Centre.