Budgeting and Cost Transparency Guide for SMEs
A practical guide to understanding what cyber security should cost, why, and how to plan a realistic SME budget.
Who this guide is for
For SME leaders who need to budget for cyber security and want clarity on what they are paying for.
1. The real cost drivers
- Licensing
- Implementation
- Support
- Compliance
- Monitoring
- Training
2. What good pricing looks like
- Transparent
- Predictable
- Aligned to value
- No hidden extras
3. What bad pricing looks like
- “From £X” with no detail
- Mandatory add‑ons
- Unclear onboarding
- No exit costs disclosed
4. SME budget benchmarks
- Micro business
- Small business
- Medium business
5. Budget planning template
Use this section as a working template to map your current and planned spend.
Download the PDF version
Download the Cost Transparency Guide (PDF)