Small Business Britain and BT Group have launched a free online cyber security course aimed at helping small firms strengthen their digital defences amid rising levels of cyber crime targeting SMEs.
The four-week programme, titled Staying Safe & Sound: Cyber Security for Small Business, will begin on 4 June and is designed to help business owners improve cyber awareness, audit existing security practices and build resilience against attacks.
The launch comes as government figures show nearly half of UK small businesses suffered a cyber breach or attack over the past year, with phishing scams remaining the most common threat.
According to the Government’s 2025/26 Cyber Security Breaches Survey, 46 per cent of small businesses experienced a cyber incident in the last 12 months. Small firms are often viewed as attractive targets for cyber criminals because of weaker security systems and limited in-house expertise.
BT said cyber threats were escalating rapidly, with the company recording a 300 per cent year-on-year rise in malicious scanning activity. Connected devices are now probed around 4,000 times a day on average, as artificial intelligence tools make scams easier to scale and deploy.
The National Cyber Security Centre estimates that one in two small businesses experiences a cyber incident each year.
Michelle Ovens, founder and chief executive of Small Business Britain, said cyber threats had become one of the biggest risks facing smaller firms.
“With cyber threats climbing up to number one on the small business risk list, it is critical that we empower businesses to understand the new landscape and to prepare for what might be coming next,” she said.
“The impact of these attacks can be catastrophic. This does not mean small businesses should pull back from the opportunities of digital engagement and the growing impact of AI, but to make the most of these seismic shifts we need to ensure businesses are protected from the very real associated threats.”
Caroline Southall, director of small and medium enterprise at BT Business, said many SMEs still lacked basic cyber protections despite the growing sophistication of attacks.
“This course is designed to cut through the complexity and give SMEs clear, straightforward steps they can take to protect themselves,” she said.
Alongside the training programme, BT recently launched a suite of AI-powered cyber security tools and a new Cyber Support Hub aimed at smaller businesses, including free access to BT cyber advisers.
The webinar series will cover areas including reviewing cyber security policies, recognising phishing attacks and building a culture of cyber awareness within businesses.
The programme is being delivered entirely online, with recorded sessions available on demand. Participants will also have access to a private online community to share experiences and ask questions.
Business owners can learn more about the webinar and sign up here.