Lloyds joins cyber resilience drive to protect UK’s small firms

Lloyds Banking Group has been named as a National Ambassador of the National Cyber Resilience Centre Group to support efforts to improve the cyber resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises across the United Kingdom.

As part of its new role, Lloyds Banking Group will collaborate with UK law enforcement, academic institutions, and other National Ambassadors including Nationwide, NatWest and Microsoft. The initiative aims to bolster cyber defences for SMEs, which represent a significant portion of the UK economy yet remain vulnerable to digital threats.

The National Cyber Resilience Centre Group (NCRCG) coordinates national efforts to enhance cyber resilience through its connection with the Cyber Resilience Centre (CRC) network. The CRC network comprises nine regional centres across England and Wales, each led by local police. These centres deliver accessible and proportionate cyber security guidance tailored for SMEs, ranging from educational webinars and newsletters to more advanced services such as Security Awareness Training and Security Policy Review.

LBG's role

As the UK's largest retail bank, Lloyds Banking Group serves 27 million customers and 2.2 million shareholders. With its appointment as a National Ambassador, the bank will lead a campaign through its network of Relationship Managers to raise awareness of CRC services among its SME customers across the country.

"Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of the UK economy, yet they often face disproportionate risks from cyber threats. By becoming a National Ambassador for the National Cyber Resilience Centre Group, Lloyds Banking Group is stepping up to ensure SMEs have access to the tools, training, and trusted guidance they need to build stronger cyber defences."

Paul Kempster, Managing Director Commercial Banking Coverage at Lloyds Banking Group, said that the partnership reflects the importance of equipping SMEs with the necessary resources to stay secure amid an evolving cyber threat landscape.

Matt Rowe, Chief Security Officer at Lloyds Banking Group, also commented on the bank's expanded involvement with NCRCG:

"We're proud to join NCRCG as a National Ambassador and help strengthen cyber resilience among SMEs, who are vital to the UK economy. Through our partnership and longstanding involvement with the CRC network, we'll help build a more informed and proactive approach to cyber resilience across our SME customer base to protect themselves and their customers in an increasingly digital world."

Ongoing challenges for SMEs

SMEs comprise more than 99% of the UK's business population. Many lack access to the same level of cyber expertise and resources as larger organisations, making them a frequent target for cybercrime. The NCRCG and the regional CRCs have identified a persistent need to support these businesses to help them implement effective protection against a broad spectrum of cyber threats.

Joanna Goddard, Chief Experience Officer at NCRCG, welcomed Lloyds Banking Group as a National Ambassador and emphasised the need to focus on SME resilience:

"We are so pleased to be welcoming Lloyds Banking Group on board as a National Ambassador and to be able to draw on the expertise and reach of an institution that has been a long been a key fixture of the UK economy.

In recent years, cyber resilience has only continued to move up the agenda as a national priority. Indeed, the forthcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill is a very welcome next step in helping to further safeguard the UK's critical national infrastructure, however it is our SMEs which too often bear the brunt of cyber attacks. Representing over 99% of the business population, it is essential that we are doing all we can to embed cyber resilience across the SME economy and we are delighted to have the support of LBG in doing this."

The NCRCG was established as a national partnership to coordinate public and private sector resources in the effort to build cyber resilience in the SME sector. It works alongside the nine regional CRCs to provide practical, affordable services to businesses in their communities, delivered in partnership with policing, academic institutions, and large private sector contributors.

The National Ambassador programme of the NCRCG creates a platform for major organisations to work together with law enforcement and academia to counter cybercrime and enhance awareness of the resources available for smaller businesses.