New data reveals that cybercrime now costs the UK economy approximately £14.7 billion annually, with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) increasingly finding themselves in the crosshairs.
As the 🔗National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) warns, the financial impact of a significant breach isn’t a minor setback; the average cost of a single major incident now stands at £195,000. With half of all UK small businesses reporting a breach or attack in the last 12 months a breach is becoming increasingly inevitable.
A New Standard for Resilience
The most compelling argument for formalising your security posture comes from recent insurance data. In 2025, organisations that had implemented the government-backed Cyber Essentials scheme made 92% fewer insurance claims than those without it.
This stat doesn’t just show a lower risk of attack; it demonstrates a shift in business stability. By adhering to the five core technical controls like firewalls, secure configuration, user access control, malware protection, and patch management, businesses are more protected against the vast majority of automated, opportunistic attacks.
Cyber Security Minister 🔗Baroness Lloyd highlighted the scheme’s accessibility for smaller firms:
“I know smaller firms don’t have large IT teams, and that is exactly why Cyber Essentials matters. It provides a straightforward checklist to lock the door on cyber criminals, without needing specialist expertise.”
Are SMEs safer from attack due to their size?
It might be tempting to think that an SME is smaller therefore of less interest to attackers but modern cybercrime is an industrialised, AI-driven enterprise. Automated tools don’t filter by turnover or brand recognition, they search for technical vulnerabilities.
Niall McConachie, Regional Director (UK & Ireland) at 🔗Yubico, notes that neglecting basic protections like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is the digital equivalent of leaving the front door wide open:
“In the age of AI-driven cybercrime, automated tools target all employees and businesses the same. Every unsecured entry point is a target… Implementing phishing-resistant MFA is the only scalable way to level the playing field and immunise small businesses against the commercialised threat landscape they now face.”
Why Certification is a Competitive Advantage
Beyond risk mitigation, Cyber Essentials is becoming important in SME growth strategy. Certification is often required to win government contracts and is increasingly requested within private sector supply chains. For eligible firms, certification also unlocks access to free cyber insurance and a 24/7 emergency helpline provided by the scheme’s delivery partner.
How can an SME get Cyber Essentials certification?
The path to resilience is structured and supported by the government through several free resources:
The Cyber Essentials Readiness Tool |
An interactive assessment to help you identify security gaps. |
Assured Cyber Advisers |
SMEs can access free 30-minute consultations with NCSC-assured experts to prepare for certification. |
The Question Set Preview |
A free look at the requirements for IT infrastructure to help your team assess readiness before applying. |
Navigating the complexities of government certification while managing day-to-day operations can be a significant drain on internal resources. At Mondas, we alleviate this pressure by providing a structured, expert-led path to compliance.
Our approach begins with a comprehensive gap analysis and infrastructure audit, identifying precisely where your current defences stand against the Cyber Essentials framework. We aim to develop a feasible, strategic roadmap tailored to your specific operational needs.
By acting as a bridge between your internal stakeholders and external requirements, Mondas manages the certification process from inception to completion. Our goal is to neutralise the technical burden on your IT and data teams, allowing them to focus on innovation while we ensure your business is protected, compliant, and positioned for sustainable growth.
This article was brought to you by our Sales and Marketing Manager at Mondas, 🔗learn more about George on LinkedIn.
Article First Published 20/02/2026
