C3IA Solutions, which has headquarters in Poole, is offering 20 hours of free cyber security to small businesses and charities that offer legal-aid services.

This can enable them to gain the Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials-Plus certification, the minimum standards recommended by the government.

The free engineering and support are being funded through the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and IASME, the accreditation body for the Cyber Essentials Scheme.

C3IA Solutions is assured by the NCSC and an IASME accredited certification body and has helped over 150 regional organisations to become more cyber-secure.

Small businesses and charities continue to come under attack from cyber criminals with reports that 31% of businesses and 26% of charities estimate they were attacked at least once a week.

One in five businesses and charities said they experienced a negative outcome as a direct consequence of a cyber-attack, while more than a third of businesses and almost four in ten charities experienced at least one negative impact.

Jim Hawkins, from C3IA Solutions, said: “This support is aimed at small charities and legal-aid providers because we know that they provide valuable services to society but may not have the resources or expertise needed.

“We are hoping that these type of organisations in Dorset will make the most of the engineering and cyber support offered. It is being delivered by my colleague Rupert Irons who has led on this.

“In many cases the 20 hours will be enough for the organisation to gain their Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus certificates.

“These give a basic level of protection and are recommended by the government. If 20 hours isn’t enough then we can get the organisation as far as we can.

“To check if an organisation qualifies for the free cyber-security they need to drop us a line or phone our office and we’ll be able to confirm whether they fulfil the criteria.”