How Much Does Managed Cybersecurity Cost in 2025?
Here’s the typical SME pricing range:
£20–£120 per user, per month, depending on:
-
- tools included
- monitoring level
- compliance needs
- business size
- industry sector
Below is a breakdown of what each level includes.
The 3 Levels of Managed Cybersecurity
Level 1: Basic Cybersecurity (£20–£40 per user)
Often bundled with general IT support.
Includes:
-
- antivirus / endpoint protection
- patching
- basic monitoring
- firewalls
- web filtering
Missing:
-
- threat detection
- advanced phishing protection
- SOC services
- incident response
- cyber awareness training
Who this suits:
Very small businesses with low-risk profiles (under 10 users).
Level 2: Advanced Cybersecurity (£40–£80 per user)
This is the sweet spot for SMEs.
Includes everything in Level 1 plus:
-
- next-gen anti-malware
- advanced email security
- MFA (multi-factor authentication)
- password management tools
- secure backup
- vulnerability scanning
- basic compliance templates
- dark web monitoring
Who this suits:
Most SMEs with 10–150 employees.
Level 3: Fully Managed Security (SOC/MDR) (£80–£120 per user)
This includes round-the-clock threat detection and response.
Includes everything in Level 2 plus:
-
- 24/7 SOC monitoring
- MDR (Managed Detection & Response)
- SIEM log management
- alerts triage
- incident response
- compliance mapping (Cyber Essentials, ISO, NIS2)
- simulated phishing
- cyber awareness training
- device encryption management
Who this suits:
-
- finance
- healthcare
- manufacturing
- professional services
If your business handles regulated data, you generally need Level 3.
What’s Usually NOT Included (But You Might Expect It To Be)
Many SMEs are surprised to learn that MSPs often charge separately for:
-
- cloud-to-cloud backup
- firewall upgrades
- security consultancy
- cyber insurance paperwork
- penetration testing
- onboarding and remediation work
- legacy system support
Knowing this upfront can save you thousands.
The 5 Biggest Factors Affecting Your Cybersecurity Cost
-
- Number of users
- Industry compliance requirements
- Your current IT maturity
- Remote/hybrid working risks
- Tools your MSP uses (cheap vs enterprise-grade)
How Much Should Your SME Budget for Cybersecurity?
Here’s the 2025 recommendation:
-
- Low risk (under 10 staff): £20–£40 per user
- Medium risk (10–150 staff): £40–£80 per user
- High risk / regulated: £80–£120 per user
Most SMEs in Liverpool & Manchester fall into the £40–£80 range.
Final Thoughts — The Real Cost of Not Investing
The average SME breach now costs:
-
- £11,200 direct losses
- £80,000+ including downtime, recovery, and lost business
Over 90% of breaches come from businesses without layered protection.
Cybersecurity is now a cost of doing business — not a “nice to have”.
Want a transparent cybersecurity quote matched to your industry? Just schedule a free consultation with our team today.