Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what support his Department provides to assist in protecting small and medium-sized enterprises from cyber abuse and online security breaches.

The UK Cyber Security Strategy published in November 2011 stresses the importance of partnership with industry to make the UK one of the most secure places in the world to do business in cyber space. Through the National Cyber Security Programme, which is backed by £860 million, and in partnership with a range of industry partners we have taken steps to understand issues and have put in place initiatives to improve cyber security practice amongst SMEs.

We have launched a Home Office-led awareness campaign, Cyber Streetwise, which aims to increase cyber confidence and improve online safety of SMEs, measured by the National Cyber Security Tracker. The mass media campaign directs to an internet portal with a dedicated SME section for trusted advice and guidance.

We have also published “What you need to know about Cyber Security” guidance for small businesses and launched the Cyber Essentials scheme. Cyber Essentials sets out five key controls for businesses to protect themselves against the most common cyber threats. So far, 650 badges have been awarded under the scheme and there are more in the pipeline.