• SMEs get 100 hours of free cyber security support from DMU experts
• Academics help businesses achieve certification and strengthen backup security
• Only five spots available - apply now for tailored resilience support

[Leicester, 13-11-25] Are you an e-commerce firm looking warily at recent high profile hacks and wondering how to better protect customer data?

Or a logistics SME wanting to secure cloud back-ups and fix system vulnerabilities? Or a B2B consultant needing to archive client notes in a way which complies with GDPR?

Maybe you are a small business owner who simply doesn’t know where to start when it comes to cyber security - but who knows that it desperately needs to be done.

There is a way forward. East Midlands small businesses have been offered 100 hours of funded research support to build their cyber security defences. A new project will see cyber experts from De Montfort University placed into businesses looking to step up their online resilience.

The East Midlands Cyber Resilience Enterprise programme is offering hands-on support specialists who will be embedded directly into organisations to help them learn how to safeguard digital security.

East Midlands Cyber Security Cluster is leading the initiative - and is working in partnership with De Montfort University to accept applications now. But businesses will need to move quickly - there are only five placements available and applications are already being approved.

“Cyber resilience is so important to organisations of all sizes as they protect against evolving digital threats,” said EMCSC founder Dr Ismini Vasileiou, who is also an associate professor at DMU.

“Our fully-funded 100-hour academic placements offer SMEs an amazing chance to get a researcher tackling their particular challenge. That means translating cutting-edge cyber knowledge into practical, tailored solutions for East Midlands small business operations.”

As part of the EMCSC Enterprise scheme, five businesses will gain funded specialist help to:

• Apply cutting-edge research into their processes
• Open the way to KTPs and more
• Access tailored support for new products or services
• Position themselves for further funding or grants

The 100-hour academic collaboration can be used to improve internal processes, develop a new service or product, as well as enhance cyber resilience.

Those businesses successful in obtaining the support will be assigned an academic researcher for 100 hours of hybrid and onsite consultancy in January 2026.

You can register your interest here.

The Enterprise programme 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.

Image shows EMCSC founder Dr Ismini Vasileiou 

Credit: De Montfort University Leicester (DMU)

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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.