Cyber security for SMEs without a UK-sized security payroll

In short

Most UK SMEs cannot justify a £50,000-plus UK security hire, yet they face the same phishing, ransomware and supplier questionnaires as larger firms. A dedicated offshore security analyst from TalentDock costs from £1,695 a month all-in and handles the everyday work: patching and vulnerability follow-up, Microsoft 365 security, Cyber Essentials evidence, alert review and staff awareness.

The risk

How often are UK SMEs attacked?

The government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025/26 found 42% of micro businesses, 46% of small businesses and 65% of medium businesses identified a breach or attack in the previous 12 months. Phishing remains the most common route in, which is why the basics (MFA, patching, email security and backups) deliver most of the protection.

What to hire

A practical security set-up for an SME

Security set-ups by company size
Company	Suggested set-up	TalentDock from / month
Up to 50 staff	One cyber security analyst plus your IT provider	£1,695
50-250 staff	Analyst plus a security engineer	£3,990
250+ staff or regulated	A starter security team with GRC support	£5,685+

For out-of-hours alert cover, pair your offshore analyst with a managed detection service; see MSSP vs dedicated security team.

First 90 days

What an offshore analyst tackles first

1 · Days 1-30

Asset and account inventory, MFA gaps, patch status, Microsoft 365 secure score.

2 · Days 31-60

Fix the top risks, harden email, test backups, start vulnerability scanning.

3 · Days 61-90

Cyber Essentials readiness, awareness training, monthly board-level report.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way for an SME to improve cyber security?

Get the basics right: MFA everywhere, patching, email security, tested backups and Cyber Essentials. A dedicated analyst makes sure they are done and stay done.

Do SMEs need a full-time security person?

From around 50 staff, or earlier if you handle sensitive data or answer customer security questionnaires, a dedicated person usually pays for itself.

How much does it cost?

From £1,695 a month all-in for an offshore analyst, compared with about £4,840 a month to employ a UK analyst at the median salary.

Can they work with our IT provider?

Yes. Analysts work alongside your managed IT provider, covering security while the provider handles support.

Sources and further reading

DSIT and Home Office, Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025/2026, 30 April 2026; IT Jobs Watch, six months to 26 September 2026.

Keep reading

Related guides

Offshore cybersecurity UK

How it works.

Offshore cybersecurity cost

Budgets.

Offshore development for SMEs

Engineering capacity.

Protect your business for less

Tell us your size, systems and any certifications you need. We will recommend a set-up and an all-in monthly cost.