Pricing Guide

Cost of IT Support for Small Business UK

A practical guide to IT support costs for small businesses in the UK — including what you should expect to pay and where cyber security fits in.

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How Much Does IT Support Cost for a Small Business?

The cost of IT support for small businesses in the UK typically ranges from £30 to £150 per user per month, depending on the scope of services, the level of support, and whether cyber security is included. For a business with 10–50 employees, this translates to approximately £300–£7,500 per month.

However, the average cost of IT support for small businesses doesn't tell the full story. The cheapest option rarely provides adequate security — and the cost of a cyber incident far exceeds the difference between basic and comprehensive IT support pricing.

Small Business IT Support Pricing Breakdown

Basic IT Support

£30–£50/user/month

Typically includes: Helpdesk, email support, basic monitoring, reactive break-fix

Security level: Minimal — usually limited to antivirus

Managed IT Services

£50–£100/user/month

Typically includes: Proactive monitoring, patch management, cloud management, remote support

Security level: Moderate — may include endpoint protection and basic backup

Managed IT + Security

£80–£150/user/month

Typically includes: Everything above plus cyber security monitoring, access management, compliance support

Security level: Strong — includes security-focused controls and regular reviews

Enterprise / Bespoke

£100–£200+/user/month

Typically includes: Dedicated account management, security operations, identity management, programme delivery

Security level: Comprehensive — PAM, SIEM, identity governance, audit readiness

What Affects IT Support Costs?

●Number of users and devices supported
●Complexity of your IT environment (cloud, hybrid, on-premise)
●Level of security included (basic antivirus vs. managed security)
●Response time SLAs (next business day vs. same-day vs. 24/7)
●Compliance requirements (Cyber Essentials, GDPR, ISO 27001)
●Whether on-site support is needed or remote-only is sufficient
●Geographic location — London-based providers typically charge 20–40% more

Why Cyber Security Shouldn't Be an Add-On

Many small businesses view cyber security as a separate cost on top of IT support. In reality, security should be embedded in your IT support from day one. The average cost of a cyber attack to a small business in the UK is estimated at £8,460 — and for businesses holding sensitive data, the financial and reputational damage can be far greater.

Investing in IT security support that includes proper access controls, patching, endpoint protection, and compliance readiness typically adds only £20–£40 per user per month to your IT costs — a fraction of the potential cost of a breach.

Getting the Most Value from Your IT Budget

●Prioritise security fundamentals — don't pay for advanced tools before covering the basics
●Consider Cyber Essentials certification as a cost-effective baseline
●Ask your IT provider what security is included — many only provide basic antivirus
●Factor in compliance requirements early — retrofitting GDPR or CE is more expensive
●Review your IT support contract annually — your needs change as your business grows

Need Security-Focused IT Support?

DLC Tech Solutions provides the cyber security layer that many IT support providers miss. Whether you need Cyber Essentials certification, a security audit, or ongoing GDPR compliance support, we offer practical, affordable security for small businesses and start-ups.

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