Building Scotland’s Cyber-Resilient Future: Free Security Health Checks for EDGE Finalists
Scotland’s most promising start-ups are getting a security advantage from day one. Through our partnership with Scottish EDGE, the Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland has delivered free Cyber MOTs to early-stage companies competing in Scotland’s largest funding competition for high-growth businesses.
Why Cyber Security Matters for Start-Ups
For emerging businesses, a single cyber incident can be devastating. Yet many start-ups delay investing in security, viewing it as a luxury they can’t afford or a problem for ‘later’. This partnership flips that thinking on its head.
“Cyber resilience is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’ for start-ups – it’s a must,” explains Evelyn McDonald, CEO of Scottish EDGE. “By working with partners like the Cyber and Fraud Centre to offer Cyber MOTs, we’re helping Scotland’s brightest new businesses start strong and stay secure.”
What Makes Our Cyber MOT Different
The Cyber MOT isn’t another generic security checklist. It’s a tailored assessment designed specifically for start-ups and SMEs, examining four critical areas:
- Access controls – Who has access to what, and how is it managed?
- Device security – Are laptops, phones, and systems properly protected?
- Data management – How is sensitive information stored, shared, and backed up?
- Incident readiness – What happens when something goes wrong?
After completing the MOT, each EDGE finalist receives a personalised action plan with practical, immediately actionable steps to reduce risk without breaking the bank.
Impact Beyond the Competition
This collaboration represents something bigger than a single programme. It’s about embedding security thinking into Scotland’s innovation ecosystem from the ground up.
“We believe early-stage companies deserve access to the same level of cyber expertise as more established organisations,” says Jude McCorry, CEO of the Cyber and Fraud Centre. “Working with programmes like Scottish EDGE allows us to deliver that support where it can have lasting impact – right at the beginning of the journey.”
Supporting Scotland’s Innovation Economy
Scottish EDGE has already helped launch and grow hundreds of successful companies across every sector imaginable. Backed by the Scottish Government and a powerful network of public and private partners, the programme offers a winning combination of funding, mentoring, and support that ambitious entrepreneurs need.
Now, thanks to this partnership, those companies are building their security resilience, alongside their business plans. One company that benefitted from a free Cyber MOT is Senguard, a simple and straightforward security subscription app built to protect people over the age of 50 online. Jordan Reid, Co-Founder of Senguard confirms how useful having a cyber security overview via an MOT was for his company:
“We really appreciated how approachable and practical the Cyber MOT was… it gave us a clear view of where we were resilient and where we can consider strengthening even further. I have no doubt it could be even more valuable for organisations that aren’t as cyber-focused as us. We also saw it as a great and proud moment to be able to validate and celebrate our hard work.”
Looking Ahead
As Scotland continues to punch above its weight in innovation and entrepreneurship, initiatives like this ensure our start-ups aren’t just brilliant – they’re secure, resilient, and built to last.
We’re proud to support the next generation of Scottish business leaders in creating organisations that are as robust, as they are revolutionary.
Find out more about the Cyber MOT here – Cyber MOT – Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland. For more information about Scottish EDGE, visit their website here – Scottish EDGE | Scotland’s biggest business funding competition – for startups, social enterprises and charities.
