Innovative UK companies are attractive targets for state actors looking to steal technology, competitors seeking commercial advantage and criminals looking to profit from companies with weak security. Many businesses remain vulnerable through failing to implement basic security measures. Vital support is available from the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and National Protective Security Authority (NPSA):
- Secure Innovation Guidance: Recognising that security can be hard to prioritise for early-stage businesses, Secure Innovation provides straightforward and practical security advice tailored for innovative startups (company guidance) and early-stage investors in emerging technology companies (investor guidance).
- Action: Businesses are urged to complete the Secure Innovation Personalised Action Plan – answer some basic questions to receive a tailored action plan, highlighting the key security measures you should implement.
- Cyber Essentials: An effective, Government backed scheme that guards against the most common cyber threats. For small organisations working in Semiconductors, AI, Quantum, and Engineering/Synthetic Biology, the NCSC is providing funding for hands on support to achieve Cyber Essentials Plus at no cost.
- Action: Eligible organisations should apply for the free Cyber Essentials Plus programme as soon as possible – spaces are limited (https://iasme.co.uk/cyber-essentials/funded-programme/).
- Action: Organisations not eligible for funding should start their journey to Cyber Essentials as soon as possible (https://iasme.co.uk/cyber-essentials/).
