INDUSTRY News
ADDRESSING THE CYBER SECURITY GAP FOR SMEs
Cyber Essentials certification has reached a record number, yet only 12% of small businesses report adhering to the government-backed scheme, while almost half (46%) of small businesses identified a cyber breach or attack in the previous 12 months. New figures published by the Government show that 61,430 Cyber Essentials certificates were awarded in the 12 months to June 2026, up from 59,090 in the previous rolling 12-month period, showing an increase of around 4%. However, the latest Government Cyber Security Breaches Survey highlights continuing gaps in cyber readiness among smaller organisations. Only 41% of small businesses conducted cyber-security risk assessments in 2025/26, down from 48% in 2024/25. IT expert John Pepper, CEO and founder of Managed247 said: “The figures highlight a significant gap between the level of cyber risk facing smaller businesses and the steps many are taking to manage that risk. For many SMEs, cyber security competes with the immediate pressures of running and growing a business. But smaller organisations are not operating outside the threat landscape, and increasingly they are also part of larger organisations’ supply chains, where customers and partners may expect them to demonstrate that they have basic security controls in place. “SMEs should start with the fundamentals: secure configurations,
strong access controls, software updates and protection against malware. Good cyber hygiene should be treated as part of running a business, rather than something to address after an incident.” The National Cyber Security Centre is encouraging organisations to use Cyber Essentials as part of their supply-chain requirements, meaning SMEs could face growing pressure from customers and procurement teams to demonstrate that they have basic cyber security controls in place.
https://managed.co.uk/services/cyber-security
‘AUTOMATION FOR ALL’ TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE
Back for 2026, this November will see automation experts FANUC open the doors to their UK headquarters to demonstrate how automation is now accessible for every manufacturing business, large or small. Taking place on 3-4 November in Ansty Park, Coventry, the free-to-attend FANUC Open House will highlight simple, scalable robotic solutions to help manufacturers of all sizes tackle key industry challenges such as labour shortages, rising energy costs and product inconsistency. Following the two-day event, FANUC’s Coventry HQ will also play host to the annual BARA Conference, taking place on Thursday 5 November.
Combining expert guidance with practical solutions, this year’s Open House will bring together expert-led seminars, panel debates, industry discussions and real-world case studies. In addition, an extensive exhibition running throughout the event will showcase the latest robotic technology from FANUC and more than 30 of its system integrator partners and suppliers, showing solutions spanning every corner of British manufacturing from engineering, food and packaging to pharma, plastics and toolmaking. This year’s event will have a particular focus on supporting SMEs to
realise their automation potential. Presentations and demonstrations will feature practical, easy-to-implement technology designed to deliver immediate value, as well as the ability to flex as a business evolves. Andy Armstrong, FANUC UK’s Managing Director, said: “At our 2026 Open House event, we’ll be demonstrating just how far automation has evolved in the past few years, showcasing solutions that are user-friendly and cost-efficient. With the UK currently sitting outside the global top 10 in terms of manufacturing output, automation is no longer a ‘nice to have’ for British manufacturers – it’s a business necessity.” To register your interest in attending the free event go to https://
reg.eventmobi.com/Automation_that_works_for_you
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105x148.indd 1 6 September 2026 | Automation 13/03/2026 11:52
automationmagazine.co.uk
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