Scheme details
Area: Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland, County Durham, Gateshead, South Tyneside, North Tyneside, Northumberland
Categories: Business support
Page last updated: 17 October 2025
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a part of the UK's intelligence, security and cyber agency, offers the Cyber Action Toolkit: a single destination for sole traders, micro businesses and small organisations to start building their cyber defences.
Recent figures show that 42% of small businesses reported cyber breaches in 2024, while 35% of micro businesses faced phishing attacks. Despite this threat, many small businesses struggle to know where to start with achieving cyber protection against the most common threats.
The free toolkit personalises recommendations based on specific business needs, focusing on high-impact, low-effort actions first. Users progress through Foundation, Improver and Enhanced levels at their own pace, with built-in rewards recognising each step completed.
Key features include:
- Free, personalised cyber security guidance
- Step-by-step actions tailored to business size
- Progress tracking with built-in gamification