The UK Government has released the wave five results of the Cyber Security Longitudinal Survey (CSLS), providing new insight into how medium and large businesses—as well as high‑income charities—are adapting their cyber‑security practices over time. The study tracks the same organisations year‑on‑year, offering a uniquely realistic picture of how cyber resilience evolves in real operational environments.
Understanding the latest wave of research
Wave five builds on a multi‑year programme running since 2021, using both quantitative research (June–August 2025) and qualitative interviews (August–September 2025) to assess how organisations’ cyber behaviours are shifting in response to modern threats. The latest wave focuses on identifying year‑on‑year changes and analysing how specific practices relate to the likelihood and impact of cyber incidents.
This year’s findings are particularly valuable for businesses reviewing their cyber strategies, as the report highlights the connection between proactive security planning and improved real‑world outcomes.
Key takeaways for UK businesses
Cyber incidents continue to be a significant operational threat
Cyber incidents remain widespread across the UK business landscape. While the full report details the prevalence and types of attacks, the data reinforces what most organisations already sense: phishing, impersonation scams, account compromise attempts, and other common threats remain persistent business risks that demand continual vigilance.
More organisations are strengthening their cyber policies and controls
The CSLS highlights a continued shift toward more structured and formalised security measures, with improvements noted in governance, technical controls, training, and policy adoption. These changes matter: the study’s longitudinal nature reveals a clear correlation between sustained investment in cybersecurity and reduced impact when incidents do occur.
Long‑term planning is proving effective
Because the same organisations are studied every year, the evidence shows that consistent action, rather than one‑off fixes, has the greatest influence on cyber‑risk reduction. Businesses that implement and maintain clear policies, invest in staff awareness, and embed security into routine operations see measurable benefits over time.
Insights will shape future UK cyber policy
The government uses CSLS findings to inform national cyber‑security guidance and future policy direction. Wave five reinforces the ongoing need for robust defences as the UK continues to modernise its digital infrastructure and adopt emerging technologies.
Why this matters for your business
For UK organisations, the message is clear: cybersecurity isn’t just an IT concern, it’s a core operational priority. The wave five findings show that:
- Cyber threats remain constant
- Attackers continue to exploit predictable gaps
- Organisations with structured, well‑maintained defences consistently perform better during incidents
With the survey emphasising both improvements and persistent vulnerabilities, now is an ideal moment for businesses to assess whether their cyber‑security measures are keeping pace with evolving risks.
How Shoothill supports stronger cyber resilience
Shoothill’s cyber‑security services directly address the areas highlighted in the Wave Five results:
✔ Cybersecurity audits and risk assessments
Benchmark your organisation against industry best practice and identify weaknesses before attackers do.
✔ Cloud configuration and security hardening
Ensure your cloud environments (Azure, AWS, hybrid) are protected, correctly configured, and monitored.
✔ Secure software development
Reduce long‑term risk by building systems where security is embedded from day one.
✔ Ongoing monitoring and incident response
Detect threats earlier and minimise operational impact when incidents occur.
✔ Staff training and awareness
Strengthen the human side of cybersecurity, an area repeatedly shown to influence incident likelihood.
Take the next step towards a more resilient business
The latest CSLS findings show that sustained investment in cybersecurity delivers results. If your organisation wants to strengthen its defences, validate its current posture, or modernise outdated processes, Shoothill can help.