What the National Cyber Strategy Means for IT Leaders, SMEs and the Supply Chain
The UK government has announced a £16 million Cyber Growth Action Plan – a bold move to fuel the country’s cybersecurity sector, protect public infrastructure, and keep Britain at the forefront of digital innovation. But for forward-thinking businesses, this isn’t just policy – it’s a timely opportunity to sharpen your cyber strategy and stay ahead of rising threats.
Sector Snapshot: A Cyber Economy on the Rise
Cyber security is no longer a siloed concern. In 2024 alone, the UK’s cyber sector generated £13.2 billion in annual revenue, employing over 67,000 people. And that’s just the beginning. As companies double down on digital services, the demand for smarter, more scalable protection is only going up.
The Action Plan forms part of the government’s wider “Plan for Change” and is backed by respected institutions like the University of Bristol and Imperial College London, bringing academic rigour to a practical challenge.
What’s in the Cyber Growth Action Plan?
£16 Million in Targeted Cyber Investment
The plan is broken into two main investment streams:
- £10 million for CyberASAP (Cyber Security Academic Startup Accelerator Programme):
This will help researchers turn cutting-edge academic work into commercial ventures. The programme has already led to 34 spinouts and over £43 million in follow-on investment. The new funding aims to add 25 more spinouts by 2030. - £6 million for startup and SME support via Cyber Runway:
This investment will help early-stage cyber firms access new markets, scale, and participate in global trade missions—critical for firms looking to expand into secure tech services.
Public–Private Collaboration with Tech Giants
A new Government Cyber Advisory Board is forming, with input from BAE Systems, Santander, AWS, Microsoft, and Google DeepMind. Their job? To advise on national resilience and help keep public sector digital services secure.
For any firm working with the public sector or larger enterprises, this signals a shift: security-by-default is becoming a standard expectation.
Strategic Review of UK Cyber Strengths
Researchers will now analyse the UK’s current cyber landscape—including encryption, threat monitoring, AI, and even quantum security. The goal? Pinpoint opportunities for growth and help shape future policy.
Why It Matters for UK Businesses
This isn’t just government investment – it’s a strategic signal. Here’s how it impacts your business:
- Higher expectations for supply chain security
If you’re delivering IT services, software, or hosting, your clients – especially in the public sector – will demand better compliance and resilience. - More opportunities to collaborate and innovate
Schemes like CyberASAP and Cyber Runway are opening up pilot programmes and research partnerships, particularly valuable if you’re scaling or launching new products. - Tighter standards around AI and critical infrastructure
With sectors like healthcare, finance, and energy in the spotlight, now’s the time to stress-test your IT strategy and prepare for greater scrutiny.
Dr Logic’s Take: Turning Policy into Progress
At Dr Logic, we believe smart cyber security strategy is about anticipation, not reaction. This Cyber Growth Action Plan validates the importance of what we already advise clients: build cyber resilience before the threat arrives.
Here’s how we can help your firm align with the new national roadmap:
1. Cyber Audits and Compliance
We help identify where your current IT setup may fall short of UK cyber benchmarks—especially important as public-sector and enterprise clients raise their supplier standards.
2. Cloud and Infrastructure Security
From Microsoft 365 to secure backups, we partner with trusted vendors to help clients protect critical data and systems in line with evolving best practices.
3. Strategic Roadmapping
Planning to grow or adopt new tech? We’ll make sure your IT and security strategy is aligned with where the sector—and regulation—is heading.
4. Innovation & Startup Collaboration
We can help firms engage with initiatives like Cyber Runway or benefit from emerging partnerships with cyber startups and research institutions.
Looking Ahead: Cyber Security Is Now Infrastructure
With the Cyber Growth Action Plan feeding into the wider National Cyber Strategy – and the upcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill – UK firms can expect stricter oversight. Particularly if you’re part of a supply chain, deliver digital services, or manage sensitive data.
This is about more than compliance – it’s about future-proofing your business.
Ready to Put Security at the Heart of Your Strategy?
Let’s turn this policy into a plan of action.
Book a call with our strategy team to see where your IT and cybersecurity stand – and how to strengthen it for what’s next.
