In response to rising cybersecurity threats, a group of SMEs across Suffolk and Essex have completed the Cyber Innovate to Elevate (CItE) programme, delivered by Freeport East in partnership with the University of Essex, and funded by Innovate UK.
The programme’s successful completion was marked with a knowledge-sharing event at Wivenhoe House Hotel, bringing together participating SMEs, regional business leaders, cybersecurity specialists, students and partners.
Speakers included representatives from the University of Essex, Freeport East and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, alongside a panel discussion including Curtis Machine Tools, Portable Space, and Bows and Arrows Group.
The CItE programme focuses on practical skills, improving governance and embedding stronger cyber resilience across business.
Since launch last September, it has attracted over 150 expressions of interest, resulting in 42 one-to-one ideation sessions with businesses and 8 projects receiving funding.
Participating businesses have worked closely with cybersecurity specialists from the University of Essex to address the risks aligned to their systems, sector and regulatory environment.
As well as manufacturing, education, construction training and specialist services, stronger cyber defences are proving critical to commercial growth, as major procurers such as Sizewell C and the public sector place ever greater demands on their supply chains to demonstrate robust cybersecurity credentials.
The participating companies undertook a tailored consultancy project designed around their specific challenges and operational context.
They included:
Curtis Machine Tools (Colchester, Essex), which focused on developing a comprehensive cybersecurity framework and an actionable plan to safeguard technology, people, and reputation while enabling secure growth.
Portable Space (Bacton, Suffolk), which worked with the University of Essex team on a three-month project to review and enhance cybersecurity practices, including a comprehensive audit of systems and processes, focusing on governance, access controls, and staff awareness.
Construction Training Services (Needham Market, Suffolk), which received support to conduct a comprehensive cybersecurity readiness audit to review its systems and processes, identify risks, and develop practical measures to protect data and maintain compliance.
Beyond technical improvements, the programme has helped participating SMEs build a stronger understanding of cyber risk, embed better cyber practices across their teams, and increase confidence in managing and responding to cyber threats.
Given the significant demand seen throughout the programme, Freeport East and the University of Essex are now exploring how to continue the programme beyond the Innovate UK Cyber Local 2025-26 initiative and help more local businesses benefit.
Steve Beel, CEO at Freeport East, said: “Cybersecurity is no longer a specialist concern, but a fundamental business priority and something we should all be aware of.
“Through Cyber Innovate to Elevate, we’ve been able to give local SMEs practical, tailored support that strengthens their resilience and protects their future growth.
“By investing in digital capability and resilience today, we are helping to build a stronger, more competitive regional economy for tomorrow. The demand we have seen confirms there is much more to do, and we are already exploring how to scale this programme further.”
Marta Fernandez de Arroyabe, of the Institute for Analytics and Data Science (IADS) and Reader at Essex Business School, added: “It has been incredibly rewarding to lead Essex’s academic team on this project and work directly with such diverse local businesses.
“Through the CItE programme, we approached cybersecurity not merely as an IT issue, but as a holistic, socio-technical challenge.
“Rather than pushing ‘off-the-shelf’ products, we sat down with leadership and staff in interviews and validation workshops to truly understand their unique operational constraints, human factors, and organisational cultures.”
Pam Cox, MP for Colchester, added: “Ensuring that local businesses have the tools and expertise to protect themselves from cyber threats is essential for a thriving, competitive regional economy.”
The programme’s success highlights the positive impact of collaboration between industry, academia and public funding in addressing critical challenges facing local SMEs.
Crucially, stronger cyber defences also translate directly into commercial opportunity, allowing businesses to satisfy the growing requirements of major procurers and position themselves competitively for contracts across the public sector and large-scale infrastructure projects.
