TrustLayer, a leading cybersecurity company, has released its fourth UK Cyber Resilience Report, revealing a concerning gap between security expectations and operational realities for UK SMBs.
The report, which was launched today, highlights the increasing challenges faced by SMBs in the UK when it comes to cybersecurity. With shrinking security budgets and a rise in alerts, SMBs are struggling to keep up with the speed and scale of cyber threats.
According to TrustLayer’s findings, outdated and disconnected security tools are no longer just inefficient, but also represent a strategic risk for businesses. Ed Macnair, CEO at TrustLayer, stated, “Cybersecurity has fundamentally changed, but the way organizations build their defenses has not kept up. Attackers leverage automation and AI at massive scale, exploiting blind spots created by siloed tools. Meanwhile, SMBs are trapped in reactive mode, managing alerts rather than stopping breaches. This approach isn’t sustainable.”
The report highlights three main areas where security defenses are consistently failing: email attacks, cloud visibility, and insider threats. More than one-third of organizations reported serious security incidents stemming from email, and 77% of SMBs cannot continuously monitor cloud data and container risks. Additionally, nearly one in three data loss incidents originate from employees, either unintentionally or maliciously.
The report also points out the hidden human cost of alert fatigue and burnout. Almost half of cybersecurity teams have faced middle-of-the-night alerts, leading to stress and burnout among professionals. Ryan Murphy, Director of Sales at TrustLayer, explained, “This isn’t merely a technology issue. It’s fundamentally human. Alert overload has created a culture of firefighting and fatigue. If we continue down this path, we’ll see capable professionals leaving cybersecurity altogether, deepening the skills crisis.”
To address these challenges, TrustLayer’s report provides actionable guidance for SMBs. This includes steps such as platform consolidation, selective automation, and cloud policy enforcement. Mark Prater, CFO at TrustLayer, emphasized the economic urgency behind consolidation, stating, “Cybersecurity spending must demonstrate clear value. SMBs don’t have the luxury of redundant tools or expensive integration projects. They need a platform that delivers simplicity, clarity and protection from day one.”
TrustLayer’s CEO Ed Macnair concluded, “The future of cyber resilience isn’t more tools, more alerts, or more complexity. It’s fewer tools that do more. It’s clarity, visibility and control. Above all, it’s recognizing that cybersecurity is fundamentally about enabling your business to thrive—not just survive—in a threat-rich world.”
The full report can be downloaded here.
About TrustLayer
TrustLayer One is a layered cloud security platform that helps mid-market organizations protect everything that matters, from email and web to apps and users. Its unique DirectProtect™ architecture enables rapid deployment without mail flow changes or traffic rerouting.
Trusted by thousands of organizations and chosen by BT as a cybersecurity partner, TrustLayer delivers scalable protection that’s simple, powerful, and proudly British. This is cybersecurity, the direct way.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.