How Much Does a Typical Business Security Review Cost in the UK?

A small business owner once said to me, “I know we probably need to look at security, but I have no idea what something like that should cost.”

That is a fair question.

Cyber security can feel like one of those areas where prices are not always clear. Some companies talk about audits, assessments, penetration testing, Cyber Essentials, vulnerability scanning and managed security, but the business owner is left wondering one simple thing:

“How much is this actually going to cost me?”

The honest answer is that it depends on the size and complexity of the business.

But for many small businesses in the UK, a practical security review does not need to be a huge project.

What affects the cost?

The cost usually depends on how much there is to review.

A small company with a handful of users, Microsoft 365, a few laptops, basic backups and one main office will usually take less time than a business with multiple sites, servers, remote workers, old systems and lots of suppliers.

The price can also depend on what you want checked.

For example, a simple security review may look at:

Email security
Microsoft 365 settings
User accounts
Multi-factor authentication
Admin access
Backups
Device updates
Antivirus protection
Firewall and remote access
Basic cyber risks
Cyber Essentials readiness

That is very different from a full penetration test or a large compliance audit.

So, what is a realistic price?

For a typical small business, a practical security review would usually take around 1 to 2 days.

Our pricing is based on daily consulting rates.

As a guide, our daily rate is approximately £760 + VAT per day.

That means a typical small business security review would usually cost around:

£760 + VAT for a one-day review
£1,520 + VAT for a two-day review

This gives the business a clear starting point without turning the review into something bigger than it needs to be.

Why not just do a cheap checklist?

A basic checklist can be useful, but it has limits.

A checklist may ask if you have multi-factor authentication turned on. A proper review checks how it is actually configured.

A checklist may ask if you have backups. A proper review asks whether those backups are protected, working and recoverable.

A checklist may ask if old users have been removed. A proper review looks at who still has access and whether any accounts are creating unnecessary risk.

That difference matters.

Most small businesses do not have one huge security problem. They have lots of small gaps that build up over time.

Is Cyber Essentials the same thing?

Not exactly.

Cyber Essentials is a recognised UK certification scheme and can be very useful. It focuses on important basic controls such as firewalls, secure settings, access control, malware protection and updates.

But a security review is different.

A review is more about understanding where your business stands today, what your risks are, and what you should fix first.

For some businesses, a security review is a good step before Cyber Essentials because it helps find the obvious issues before you apply.

What should you get at the end?

A good security review should not leave you with a confusing technical report that nobody reads.

You should come away with plain-English findings.

What is good?
What needs attention?
What is urgent?
What can wait?
What should be done next?

The value is not just in finding problems. The value is in knowing which problems matter most.

Is it worth the cost?

For many small businesses, yes.

If your business relies on email, stores customer data, sends invoices, uses Microsoft 365, has staff accounts, or depends on computers to work, then a security review can help reduce risk before something goes wrong.

Think of it like servicing a vehicle.

You are not paying someone because the car has already broken down. You are paying someone to check the brakes, tyres, oil and warning signs before a small issue becomes a serious problem.

A security review works the same way.

It gives you a clear view of your current position, helps you make sensible improvements, and gives you more confidence that the basics are under control.

For most small businesses, the cost of checking is usually far lower than the cost of dealing with a cyber incident after it has happened.