Freeport East announces new programme to help businesses tackle cyber risks

The Cyber Innovate to Elevate (CItE) programme will be launched in September 2025 to help firms improve their cyber defences and look at how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in digital risk management. Freeport East identified that many small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the region face mounting cybersecurity challenges, with limited resources and increasing regulatory pressures. The six-month programme will help between ten and 15 SMEs across northern Essex and south-east Suffolk to develop scalable cybersecurity solutions tailored to their needs.

The initiative will connect companies in the area with cybersecurity expertise at the University of Essex to form fully funded project partnerships. It will also involve master's and doctoral students in solving real-world cyber challenges to help build a future-ready workforce. Steve Beel, CEO at Freeport East, said: "Creating new jobs and becoming a global hub for clean energy, international trade, and digital services has always been the goal of Freeport East.

"With this new initiative partnering with the University of Essex, not only can we boost job growth in the East of England, but we also enable local businesses to stay secure and competitive in an increasingly digitalised economic environment." Dr Robert Singh, director of the research and enterprise office at the University of Essex, added: "At the University of Essex, we are proud to be at the forefront of the Cyber Innovate to Elevate programme, which is an exciting new collaboration through which we will help SMEs across the Freeport East region address critical cybersecurity needs. "By connecting cutting-edge academic expertise with real-world business challenges, this initiative not only addresses immediate cyber risks but also helps build a more resilient and future-ready regional economy."

The CItE roll-out builds on the success of an earlier programme involving Freeport East partners - the Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils' Innovate to Elevate initiative.

This gained interest from more than 200 businesses and saw the university deliver 22 innovation projects across the region.