Many small business owners might assume,
“That’s just for the big companies.”
But the reality is that this Bill — and the thinking behind it — will filter down to
every corner of the economy
, and ignoring it could leave you exposed.
What’s Changing
The Bill will strengthen and expand the UK’s cyber laws. Among the proposals being discussed:
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Broader incident reporting.
Businesses in regulated sectors will need to report more types of cyberattacks (such as ransomware). Even if you’re not directly in scope, expect knock-on requirements from customers and partners.
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Stronger enforcement.
Regulators will have more power to audit and issue penalties for failures.
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Mandatory security standards.
The government is likely to make “baseline” measures — such as Cyber Essentials certification — a norm.
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Cyber insurance under review.
There is growing pressure to make cyber insurance either mandatory or strongly incentivised. Insurers will only provide cover if you can prove you’ve already taken steps to protect yourself — meaning basic measures won’t be optional.
Why Small Businesses Should Care
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Supply chain pressure is real.
Bigger clients will insist their suppliers can demonstrate resilience. If you can’t, you risk being dropped.
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Costs will rise later.
Putting protections in place after the Bill passes will be more expensive and rushed. Getting ahead now means spreading the cost and controlling the pace.
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Insurance won’t save you without action.
If cyber insurance becomes mandatory, you won’t be able to buy a policy unless you can show strong protections are in place. Waiting could leave you uninsurable.
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Reputation is fragile.
For a small business, one cyberattack can permanently damage trust with customers and partners. The recent Kido Nursery ransomware attack is a stark example — sensitive data was stolen and leaked, causing huge distress to parents and reputational fallout for the business.
Why Acting Early Makes Sense
Cybercrime is already one of the biggest risks facing small firms. Criminals often see smaller companies as “low-hanging fruit” — easier to attack, with fewer resources to defend or recover.
By acting now — tightening your defences, training staff, backing up data, and getting certified — you’ll:
-
Protect your business today
, not just when the law forces you to.
-
Spread the investment
over time rather than scrambling later.
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Position yourself as a secure partner
, which could win you contracts others lose.
✅ Five Actions Small Businesses Should Take Now
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Get Cyber Essentials certified
A recognised, affordable baseline that proves you take security seriously.
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Enable strong access controls
Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) on email, banking, and cloud accounts; enforce strong passwords.
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Back up your data securely
Keep at least one backup offline or offsite so ransomware can’t lock everything down.
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Train your staff
Human error is the biggest risk. Teach your team how to spot phishing and respond to suspicious activity.
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Review your insurance position
Check if your policy covers cyber risks. If not, explore cyber insurance options — but remember, insurers will expect you to have protections in place first.
Final Word
The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill is coming, but small businesses don’t need to wait to take it seriously. Whether or not you fall directly under the regulations, the direction of travel is clear:
higher standards, more accountability, and less tolerance for weak links.
Start building resilience now. It’s not just about compliance — it’s about safeguarding your customers, your reputation, and your future.
Get in touch
to see how FOS Net can help you get prepared.
