• Only four places left on East Midlands Cyber Resilience Accelerator
• Funded programme commences on November 25
• Sessions will help SMEs identify risks, upskill staff and future-proof systems

East Midlands SMEs have less than a fortnight remaining to apply for a funded course on how to protect their business from hackers.

The East Midlands Cyber Resilience Accelerator has only four places left - with registrations due to close soon. 

The fully-funded short course - which will take place in Leicester over three sessions in November and December  - will give businesses expert advice, hands-on support and practical guidance on the tools to build digital security.

There has never been a more urgent time to address business digital security - as evidenced by the recent warning from Ministers following high profile attacks on Jaguar Land Rover, Marks and Spencer and more. 

Fully-funded and designed specifically for SMEs and nonprofits, the Accelerator is a three-part mini-programme offering the practical support and knowledge needed by businesses to better protect their data, customers, and reputation.

Each session will be run by experts from East Midlands Cyber Security Cluster (EMCSC) and will help participants identify risks, upskill staff, and prepare the organisation for safer growth.

Over the three 2-hour sessions, delegates will:

• Map their current cyber security capabilities

• Strengthen and future-proof their systems

• Learn about affordable new tools and solutions

• Take away a Skills Ecosystem Toolkit for lasting impact.

In-person sessions will take place on November 25, December 2 and December 9 - all between 2.30pm and 4.30pm - at the DMU Innovation Centre in Oxford Street, Leicester.

They are open to organisations in Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, and Northamptonshire.

The course will be led by Dr Ismini Vasileiou, EMCSC and an expert in computer science at De Montfort University. She said: “Cyber security is no longer optional for small and medium-sized businesses; it is an essential part of your survival and growth. 

“Our Cyber Resilience Accelerator offers practical, hands-on support tailored specifically for the challenges SMEs face. 

“By empowering businesses with the right skills and tools, we’re helping them protect their customers, safeguard their reputation, and build confidence to grow securely in a digital world.”

You can book onto the free accelerator here. By registering for the first session on November 25 you will automatically be booked onto the following sessions on December 2 and 9. Delegates will attend all three sessions to gain the full benefit of the course. 

The Accelerator is delivered by East Midlands Cyber Security Cluster, funded by Innovate UK, and supported by De Montfort University. It's part of the EMCSC's wider CyberGrowth programme - which also includes the first East Midlands Cyber Summit in Spring 2026.

About EMCSC

East Midlands Cyber Security Cluster CIC supports effective use of cyber security as a means of increasing regional economic growth. Founded in Leicester in 2023, it creates opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, sharing of best practice and opportunities. EMCSC works across public and private sectors, as well as academia, promoting business cyber-resilience and cyber security careers throughout the East Midlands. Its partners include UKC3 and the Cyber Resilience Centre for the East Midlands.

About Dr Ismini Vasileiou

EMCSC was founded by Dr Ismini Vasileiou. Dr Vasileiou is Associate Professor in Information Systems (FBCS, FCIIS, PFHEA) at De Montfort University Leicester. Dr Vasileiou has extensive leadership experience in Computer Science and has led a range of prestigious institutional bids. Her research interests include Social Engineering, Security Education, Learning Analytics and technology-supported learning. She is also Director and Co-Chair of UKC3.