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‘Vulnerable’ SMEs to get discount on Government-backed cyber security scheme
The Government will subsidise Cyber Essentials certification for thousands of small and micro businesses, offering a 75% discount to help them defend against common cyber attacks. The scheme is intended to make basic cyber security training more affordable as ministers warn that smaller firms are especially exposed to rising threats.
The Government has allocated £2.4 million, expected to support around 6,000 businesses. Eligible firms that have not held certification in the past four years will pay £80 to £125 plus VAT; places are first come, first served and the offer runs until March or until funding is spent. The announcement follows major incidents including a reported £4.7 billion theft from Binance wallets, an Asos customer data breach and a cyber attack that halted Jaguar Land Rover production for weeks.
In short
- SMEs can get 75% off Cyber Essentials certification.
- £2.4 million is expected to cover around 6,000 businesses.
- The offer ends in March or when funding runs out.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A 75% subsidy could make practical cyber protections accessible to small firms that might otherwise put them off because of cost. Since attacks on smaller businesses can disrupt jobs, services and customers, helping thousands adopt basic safeguards may reduce wider harm and strengthen the economy’s resilience.
The case against
Public funding for a certification discount has an opportunity cost, and a first-come, first-served offer may favour firms that hear about it early rather than those most exposed. Critics could also question whether £2.4 million reaches enough businesses or whether certification alone offers sufficient protection against evolving attacks, compared with broader support or targeted advice.
Explained simply
Cyber Essentials is a UK Government-backed certification that helps organisations put basic protections in place against common online attacks. It covers steps such as securing devices and accounts, and is aimed at small and micro businesses that may have limited resources for cyber security.
The scheme is overseen by the National Cyber Security Centre, part of GCHQ, with assessments delivered by approved providers. Certification can help firms show they meet a recognised baseline, though it cannot prevent every attack or guarantee that a business’s systems are secure.
Smaller firms can be attractive targets because they hold customer or business data and may have fewer staff and safeguards dedicated to security. Attacks can disrupt operations, expose information or cause financial losses, with effects that may also reach customers, suppliers and employees.
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