LeftBrain approved | UK Government’s Secure Innovation Security Review Scheme
LeftBrain is an approved Security Reviewer for the UK Government’s Secure Innovation Security Review Scheme—supporting early-stage tech startups with expert-led security assessments, helping them become investor-ready and resilient to state threats.
LeftBrain · July 16th 2025
A natural fit for fast-moving, innovation-driven tech companies
“We’re thrilled to have been approved by the Government as a security reviewer to deliver the Secure Innovation Security Review scheme.” says Charlie Naughton Rumbo, ChCSP, LeftBrain CEO and Chartered InfoSec Expert. “As part of the scheme, we’re going to help businesses to put essential foundations in place to help them protect their ideas, technologies, and their competitive edges and reputations.”
At LeftBrain, we work predominantly with high-growth tech startups and scaleups. These are companies moving fast, solving complex problems, and needing to build trust with customers, partners, and investors. Our roots are in supporting Apple-based teams, which led us to a clear niche: working closely with ambitious, Mac-native organisations in emerging technology sectors.
Over time, that focus has evolved. Today, we are a security-first company that helps early-stage firms implement practical, scalable security programs. Many of our clients are just starting to think seriously about risk, resilience, and reputation. That is exactly where we come in.
Becoming part of the Secure Innovation Security Review Scheme is a natural extension of the work we already do: supporting founders to build security maturity that grows with their business.
How the Secure Innovation Security Review helps early-stage tech companies
The Secure Innovation Security Review Scheme is a UK Government-backed initiative, developed in partnership with the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Innovate UK, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
The scheme provides part-funded security reviews for up to 500 early-stage UK tech organisations with fewer than 250 employees. Ultimately, the goal is to help protect innovation, build investor trust, and embed appropriate security practices before risks escalate.
The scheme is open to companies operating in high-value sectors such as artificial intelligence, life sciences, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and defence.
“I’m really excited about this scheme,” says Charlie. “We’ve been training with the NPSA in the background, and they’ve taken us through a brilliant framework that helps us quickly understand where a business stands in its security maturity. We’ll be delivering high-level assessments that cover the full scope of an organisation’s security posture.”
Additionally, reviews also include a six-month follow-up to track progress and provide further support.
“This is not just a report. It is a foundation to build on.”
What your startup security assessment will cover
Each participating company receives a high-level assessment of its protective security posture. This includes:
- Protective security governance
- Security culture
- Risk management
- Cyber security
- Supply chain and partnerships
- Travel and incident management
“The NPSA has built a strong framework that helps us get quickly to the heart of a company’s security maturity,” says Charlie. “It is fast, focused, and actionable.”
What the Secure Innovation Security Scheme includes and costs
Companies contribute £500 toward the review. The remaining £2,500 is funded by the UK Government. Additionally, each organisation also receives a £300 Cyber Essentials voucher to support the implementation of basic security improvements post-assessment.
Who can apply for this UK government security scheme
You may qualify if your organisation:
- Is based in the UK
- Has fewer than 250 employees
- Operates in or supports a relevant technology sector
- Has not previously received a Secure Innovation review
How the Secure Innovation pilot helped tech companies improve security
The Secure Innovation Security Review was piloted in November 2023 with nearly 100 organisations. The results show how effective the scheme is at raising awareness and driving action:
- 98% said they now have sufficient knowledge to identify the security threats facing their business
- 62% reported increased understanding of state threats and protective security
- 98% said they intended to take further action to strengthen their protective security
These results highlight the value of early, expert-led support for companies operating in fast-paced and high-risk sectors.
How to apply
Applications are open now. Check your eligibility and apply via Innovate UK Business Connect.
Secure Innovation FAQs
You can apply through the Innovate UK Business Connect portal, where you will find eligibility criteria and further details about the process.
The scheme prioritises high-growth, IP-sensitive areas such as:
National Security and Investment Act:
- Advanced materials (including semiconductors)
Advanced robotics
Artificial intelligence
Civil nuclear
Communications
Computing hardware
Critical suppliers to government
Cryptographic authentication
Data Infrastructure
Defence
Energy
Military and dual-use
Quantum Technologies
Satellite and space technologies
Suppliers to the emergency services
Synthetic biology
Transport
- UK Industrial Strategy:
- Advanced Manufacturing
Clean Energy Industries
Defence
Life Sciences
It is a UK Government-backed initiative that offers part-funded security reviews to early-stage tech companies. The goal is to help protect innovation, build investor confidence, and support long-term business resilience.
The government covers a portion of the cost of the review to make it more accessible to early-stage companies.
LeftBrain is a Mac-native, security-focused company that specialises in helping startups and scaleups in Apple environments build practical, scalable security programs.
You may qualify if your business is based in the UK, has fewer than 250 employees, and operates in or supports an eligible sector such as AI, life sciences, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, or defence.
The scheme is part-funded. Eligible organisations contribute £500, and the government covers the remaining £2,500. Participants also receive a £300 Cyber Essentials voucher.
You will gain clear insight into your current risks, practical recommendations tailored to your stage of growth, and expert guidance on how to build a security program that supports scale and investor confidence.
Each review includes a high-level assessment of your security posture, covering areas such as cyber security, governance, culture, supply chain risk, and incident management. A six-month follow-up is also included.
Ready to secure your next stage of growth?
Are you building something ambitious on Apple infrastructure? Let’s talk about how to make your innovation secure, scalable, and investor-ready.