New Government-backed cyber security protections could save UK businesses thousands
What was announced
Thousands of small and medium-sized business owners across the UK can now take advantage of a new Government-backed 75% discount for its Cyber Essentials certification programme.
Key points, in the publisher's words
- Government launches cyber security offer for small and medium-sized businesses as part of national response to enhance resilience against cyber threats
- Thousands of businesses can get a 75% discount on Government’s certification, with thousands more part of key supply chains to benefit for free
- Organisations including Thales, Capgemini and SANS sign on as software security ambassadors to drive better software security practices and seal shut software vulnerabilities
Figures in this announcement
Each line is quoted from the original. Figures are as the publisher stated them on the day.
- “Recent estimates suggest a significant cyber-attack on a UK business or organisation could cost on average £195,000 1 .”
- “The Cyber Essentials certification will be discounted by 75% for micro, small and medium sized businesses – meaning they could pay as little as £80 and no more than £125 (plus VAT) to get peace of mind that their organisation is protected against the most common online threats.”
- “Investing £60 million into a national Cyber Shield, using agentic AI to strengthen the UK’s cyber defences, including a £25 million Challenge Fund supporting UK AI and cyber security innovators.”
- “On top of increasing cyber resilience, organisations with Cyber Essentials which have a turnover of less than £20m, also receive up to £25,000 of cyber liability insurance.”
- “The Cyber Essentials First Step Fund, will provide eligible micro, small and medium-sized UK businesses a 75% discount on the cost of a new Cyber Essentials certification.”
- “This discount, covered by £2.4m of Government funding, will be on a first comes first served basis to micro, small and medium businesses who have not been certified in the last four years .”
Who and where
UK bodies of power
- Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (UK government department) · more news
Where this sits in the 10 levels of power
Topics, as GOV.UK files them: Cyber security.
Receipt
- Original: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-government-backed-cyber-security-protections-could-save-uk-businesses-thousands
- Published 2026-11-03 06:00:00 UTC
- Read by this site 2026-11-03 06:15:06 UTC from GOV.UK
- Saved copy: receipt 7213, with its SHA-256 fingerprint
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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