Thank you to Tara Gillam, Head of Innovation, Business West for providing us with this guest blog.
Business West is partnering with Innovate UK, the Department of Business and Trade (DBT), and the Department of Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT) to deliver a new government-backed scheme supporting early-stage tech companies with expert security guidance.
The Secure Innovation Security Review Scheme is designed to help founders and leaders of innovative early-stage tech companies to strengthen their cyber and protective security practices at a critical stage in their development.
What is the Secure Innovation Security Review Scheme?
Launched by HM Government, the Secure Innovation Security Review is a national scheme aimed at helping innovative, early-stage businesses protect their intellectual property (IP), commercial advantage and reputation from growing threats particularly risks posed by state actors and state-backed competitors.
The scheme provides access to approved Security Reviewers, who will assess an organisation’s current protective security practices and offer tailored guidance based on a framework developed by the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the UK’s national technical authorities on physical and cyber security.
Why this matters for your business
This isn’t just about risk prevention. The goal is to embed security as a strategic business enabler, boosting confidence among investors, partners and customers and strengthening your long-term growth prospects.
Each review delivers a high-level assessment of your business’s overall security posture, covering:
- Protective Security Governance
- Security Culture, Risk Management
- Cyber Security
- Supply Chain and Partnerships
- Incident Management
Who can apply?
The scheme is open to up to 500 small and medium-sized businesses in the UK’s emerging technology sector – companies operating in sectors defined by the National Security and Investment Act (NSIA) and those aligned with Invest 2035: The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.
How is it funded?
This is a part-funded scheme:
- Your business contributes £500
- The remaining £2,500 is covered by a dedicated HM Government fund
- Businesses also receive a £300 voucher towards Cyber Essential certification, helping them meet NCSC’s recommended baseline for cyber security
In a pilot of the scheme 98% of participants reported feeling that they had sufficient knowledge to identify the security threats to their business following the review, and 89% stating the £500 contribution represented value for money.
The message to emerging technology organisations is simple, don’t leave it too late to protect your innovation!