{
  "id": 13017672,
  "title": "How to prevent the next Asos? Give businesses cybersecurity tax relief",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/how-to-prevent-the-next-asos-give-businesses-cybersecurity-tax-relief",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-09T03:31:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "City AM",
    "slug": "city-am",
    "url": "https://www.cityam.com/how-to-prevent-the-next-asos-give-businesses-cybersecurity-tax-relief/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Asos, a prominent British retailer, recently faced a cyber attack that left customers receiving suspicious messages through their apps. This incident is not an isolated case, as other high-profile companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, Marks & Spencer, and the Department for Education have experienced similar breaches. These attacks have far-reaching implications, as they can disrupt operations, deter customers, and result in significant financial losses. The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, the Cyber Growth Action Plan, and the Industrial Strategy emphasize the importance of cybersecurity, but the lack of financial backing weakens these efforts. Three key actions the government should take in the upcoming Budget to bolster cybersecurity include providing tax relief or incentives for businesses to invest in cybersecurity, giving small cyber firms a fair chance at securing public contracts, and offering support for organizations newly within the scope of legislation and regulation. By taking these measures, the government can help businesses bolster their security, prevent costly breaches, and ultimately save taxpayers money.",
  "summary": "With Asos just the latest to be the victim of a cyber hack, it's time for the UK to start incentivising businesses to up their security.",
  "key_points": [
    "Government should provide tax relief for businesses investing in cybersecurity",
    "Small cyber firms should receive fair chance at securing public contracts",
    "Support offered for organizations newly within scope of legislation and regulation"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Offering tax relief for cybersecurity investments would encourage businesses to strengthen their defenses, potentially preventing costly breaches and saving taxpayers money in the long run.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}