In June 2025 as part of the ‘Plan for Change’, the UK government announced its ‘Cyber Growth Action Plan’ to boost the UK’s cybersecurity sector by millions in new investment, as well as announcing a roadmap for growth for the sector.
From this, we can see that in today’s hyperconnected world, cybersecurity is no longer just an IT concern, it’s a critical part of business resilience that has both business and government attention and investment. At Portakabin, the UK’s leading modular construction specialist, cybersecurity underpins everything from project delivery and customer trust to employee protection and long-term growth.
While many organisations still treat cyber threats as background noise, Portakabin puts them front and centre. The company’s cybersecurity strategy is proactive, robust, and deeply embedded across all areas of the business because keeping systems secure means keeping people, projects, and progress protected.
“We’re not just defending against criminals and hackers,” says Andrew Falkingbridge, Head of Cybersecurity at Portakabin. “We’re safeguarding the continuity of our services, the integrity of our customer relationships, and the wellbeing of our employees. That’s what cyber resilience really means.”
Cybersecurity as a strategic business priority
For a business delivering modular buildings to mission-critical sectors, including healthcare, defence, education and government, cyber resilience isn’t optional. It’s essential.
“Cybersecurity is one of our top three business risks,” Falkingbridge says. “But it’s also one of our biggest opportunities to build trust and differentiate ourselves.”
That’s why Portakabin has built a mature cyber defence model that spans prevention, detection, response and recovery, aligning with international best practices and going beyond regulatory minimums.
The company's cyber maturity score, assessed independently by Deloitte, has increased from 1.8 to 3.2 out of 5 in just three years, putting it ahead of the average for the manufacturing and construction sectors. That, combined with its Cyber Essentials Plus certification, Portakabin is demonstrating its commitment to online security and its ability to meet the UK government’s highest standards.
“We’re a trusted supplier to public sector and regulated industries,” Falkingbridge notes. “That trust doesn’t happen by accident. It’s something we work hard to earn and harder still to maintain.”
People first: Empowering employees to act
While many companies rely heavily on tech tools, Portakabin knows that its first line of defence is its people. A strong cybersecurity culture has been fostered from the boardroom to the building site, and it shows.
“We don’t use fear to drive behaviour,” says Falkingbridge. “We use education and empowerment.”
Phishing simulations are treated as learning opportunities, not traps. Employees are encouraged to report suspicious activity without fear of blame. Even senior leaders actively participate in awareness campaigns and cyber drills.
“Our exec team regularly reports phishing attempts. That sends a powerful message,” he adds. “When everyone feels confident in their role, the whole business becomes more resilient.”
This inclusive approach also benefits employees personally, giving them the knowledge to protect themselves beyond the workplace.
Smart systems for real-world threats
To counter any threats, the company has deployed a 24/7 AI-powered monitoring system across its European network. The technology autonomously scans for unusual behaviour and can take immediate action to contain threats, shutting down affected areas before harm can spread.
“It’s like having a digital guard dog that never sleeps,” Falkingbridge says.
The company also implemented an automated identity and access management system that ensures only authorised users retain access to sensitive systems. If an employee change’s role or leaves, permissions are automatically revoked.
“These measures drastically reduce the chance of internal error or oversight, which is one of the most common causes of breaches,” he explains.
Looking ahead: Constant evolution
In an era where ransomware headlines dominate and data breaches can cripple companies, Portakabin offers something rare: reassurance. And we’re not standing still. With another independent cyber maturity assessment due in November and a roadmap of future improvements in place, the business is committed to continuous evolution.
“Ultimately, cybersecurity is about protecting everything we care about: our people, our customers, our reputation,” Falkingbridge concludes. “We take that seriously because our business depends on it.”