Ministerial letter on cyber security to small businesses
Graeme Stewart
4 December 2025Introduction
The ministerial letter on cyber crime to small businesses reminds us that in the previous 12-months half of small businesses in the UK report that they have suffered a cyber attack.
Highlights
“Whether you are a sole trader, running a growing enterprise, or leading an ambitious start-up, you are at risk of falling victim to cyber crime which could disrupt your operations.
This government is taking action to back your business against digital threats. We offer a range of practical tools and support to help protect what you have worked so hard to build, and to enable you to grow and innovate.
Protecting your business against a cyber attack is much less onerous than having to pick up the pieces after a devastating attack. Good cyber security empowers your business to grow confidently, safeguard customer trust, and stay resilient in the face of evolving threats. You don’t need to be a technical expert or have a large IT team to put effective protections in place.
We understand cyber security may be daunting to many small businesses. That’s why we’ve developed the free Cyber Action Toolkit to make online protection accessible to all, wherever you are on your cyber journey. It is the starting point for all small organisations and when you are ready to progress, there is Cyber Essentials, the highly effective government-backed certification scheme which protects you against common cyber attacks.
If you do face an incident, help is available round the clock. Report fraud and cyber crime through Action Fraud, or by calling 101 in Scotland. If your organisation holds Cyber Essentials certification, you have access to support through the 24/7 emergency helpline.
We encourage you to take five minutes today to explore these resources and take the first step towards better cyber protection.
Together, we can build a more resilient business community that is ready to meet the cyber challenges we face.”
Further information on cyber security
Details of the free cybersecurity assessment provided by MITIGO are held within the Strategic Partners page of the Paradigm website.
Paradigm Comment
This ministerial letter follows up on from our own recent updates as we continue to see the government and industry bodies, working together to combat financial crime.
Paradigm will continue to keep you up to date on developments in this space as well as highlighting the tools to help firms protect themselves.
If you have any queries, or need further assistance, please contact the technical services team on 0161 486 4891 or [email protected] in the first instance or, if you subscribe for Consultant visits and support, you can contact your Consultant in the normal manner.
If you do not currently subscribe for Consultant visits & support and/or File Review service but would like to know more, please email [email protected] or call 0161 486 4891.
