UK Small Businesses will soon benefit from enhanced cyber protection as Pen Underwriting rolls out its innovative new cyber risk management platform ‘Pen Protect’ to all policyholders from 1 June 2025.
In a move set to transform how SMEs approach cyber security, the platform will be provided as standard to all businesses renewing or taking out new cyber cover, delivering an integrated suite of risk management tools specifically designed to combat the growing threat of cyber attacks against smaller organisations.
For the 5.5 million SMEs operating across the UK, this development comes at a critical time, with our recent SMECyberinsights survey revealing that 67% of small businesses have experienced at least one cyber attack attempt in the past year.
Comprehensive Protection Suite
Pen Protect combines automated technology with expert cybersecurity consultancy to continuously identify and address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. The platform’s capabilities are particularly valuable for resource-constrained small businesses that lack dedicated IT security personnel.
Key features beneficial to UK SMEs include:
• Daily vulnerability scans with immediate remediation guidance
• Real-time threat intelligence specific to the UK business environment
• Email inbox protection to prevent phishing attacks – the primary entry point for most breaches affecting SMEs
• Multi-channel phishing simulations across email, WhatsApp, Teams, SMS, and even phone calls
• Personalised staff training that adapts to individual employee behaviour patterns
• 24/7 support combining AI-powered tools with human expertise
SME-Focused Risk Reduction
Ian Summerfield, Head of Cyber at Pen, highlighted the critical nature of these protections for smaller businesses: “Many SMEs still underestimate their vulnerability to cybercrime, believing they either won’t be a target or are more secure than they actually are. This platform specifically addresses the challenges facing smaller organisations where a successful cyber incident can cause business paralysis or even closure.”
Our analysis at SMECyberinsights.co.uk, based on feedback from our 132,000 SME owner subscribers, indicates that small businesses are increasingly targeted precisely because of their typically weaker security infrastructure compared to larger enterprises.
Broker Benefits
For the 34,000 professional advisers among our readership specialising in SME business, Pen Protect offers valuable tools to facilitate Cyber Insurance conversations with clients:
• Portfolio analysis highlighting common vulnerabilities across similar-sized businesses
• Pre-bind vulnerability scans that automatically attach to every cyber quote
• Client-specific reports demonstrating critical security weaknesses with tailored remediation advice
“Our aim in enhancing Pen’s risk management offering is two-fold,” Summerfield explained. “First, to help brokers win and retain business by offering their clients tailored risk solutions they can’t get elsewhere. Second, to proactively help insureds identify, address and reduce their exposure to cyber risk.”
Prevention Over Cure
While Pen Underwriting maintains its reputation for excellent breach response services, the focus of Pen Protect is firmly on prevention. By providing UK SMEs with accessible, enterprise-grade security tools as part of their standard policy, the company aims to significantly reduce the number of successful attacks.
For small business owners concerned about cyber risks but uncertain about their protection needs, this development represents a significant step forward in making robust cyber security accessible and manageable.
SMEs interested in Pen Protect should contact their insurance broker to discuss cyber coverage options ahead of the June 1st launch.
SMECyberinsights.co.uk is the UK’s leading resource for cyber security information tailored to small and medium businesses, with a community of 132,000 SME owners and 34,000 professional advisers.
