ProtectUK
ProtectUK is a UK government platform operated by NaCTSO that provides free counterterrorism protective security advice, guidance, and e-learning to businesses, communities, and public sector organisations across the United Kingdom.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ProtectUK does
ProtectUK is a UK government-operated digital platform that delivers counter-terrorism protective security advice, guidance, and e-learning to businesses, public sector organisations, and communities across the United Kingdom. It is operated by the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), a police-hosted unit within the National Counter Terrorism Police Headquarters (CTPHQ), with strategic oversight and funding from the Home Office. The platform supports the Protect and Prepare strands of the UK's CONTEST counter-terrorism strategy and serves as the official authoritative source for protective security guidance, including statutory guidance for Martyn's Law (Terrorism Protection of Premises Act 2025).
The platform's core technology is a web-based information sharing system hosting a suite of products: the ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) e-learning modules (ACT Awareness, ACT Security, ACT for Education, ACT for Local Authorities), scenario-based exercises (ACT in a BOX), The Roadmap planning tool, the Crime Prevention Toolkit, Guide Shelter Report (GSR), and digital campaign toolkits. ACT Awareness e-Learning is also offered as a SCORM package for enterprise LMS integration. The content library contains 294+ searchable items covering risk management, threat analysis, hostile vehicle mitigation, CBRN, and compliance guidance. The platform supports the Ofqual-regulated SFJ Level 3 Award qualification and the Counter Terrorism Security Specialists Register (CTSSR).
ProtectUK generates no commercial revenue. All services, advice, guidance, and e-learning are provided free of charge, funded through the UK government's counter-terrorism budget. Distribution is primarily direct via the public website, supplemented by a network of approximately 190 Counter Terrorism Security Advisors (CTSAs) embedded in local police forces across the UK. The platform has no traditional ownership structure, external investors, or commercial counterparties; its strategic significance derives from its statutory role as the authoritative source for counter-terrorism protective security guidance in the UK.
ProtectUK firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ProtectUK
- Legal name
- National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO)
- Website
- https://protectuk.police.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- ProtectUK is a UK government platform operated by NaCTSO that provides free counterterrorism protective security advice, guidance, and e-learning to businesses, communities, and public sector organisations across the United Kingdom.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ProtectUK industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Counter-terrorism security advisory services
- NAICS
- National Security and International Affairs (9281), Police Protection (92212)
- SIC
- Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Sector Guarding (Government Buildings, Courthouses) (BPAKAAAG)
Keywords
Where ProtectUK is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
ProtectUK business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Publicly Funded Services (No Revenue): ProtectUK and all NaCTSO services are provided entirely free of charge to businesses, public sector organisations, and the general public. The platform is funded through UK government counter-terrorism budget allocated by the Home Office. No commercial revenue is generated from the platform's advice, guidance, or e-learning content.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Free access to all content and services |
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
ProtectUK product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ProtectUK is a free, government-operated web platform delivering counter-terrorism protective security advice, guidance, and e-learning to UK businesses, venues, local authorities, education settings, and community organisations. The core offering is the ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) suite of training products plus structured planning tools, digital campaign toolkits, and statutory guidance supporting compliance with Martyn's Law (Terrorism Protection of Premises Act 2025). Content is delivered through the protectuk.police.uk website with SCORM packages for LMS integration, and supported by a UK-wide field network of Counter Terrorism Security Advisors.
Product overview
ProtectUK is a counter terrorism protective security information and preparedness platform operated by the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), providing free advice, guidance, and e-Learning to help businesses and communities understand protective security and improve their response to terrorism risk. The core offering consists of the ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) suite of e-Learning products including ACT Awareness e-Learning (the flagship award-winning course), ACT Security e-Learning for frontline operatives, ACT for Education, ACT in a BOX Exercises (immersive scenario training), and ACT for Local Authorities. Supporting products include The Roadmap (a structured planning tool), the Crime Prevention Toolkit, Guide Shelter Report (GSR) for business-focused attack response guidance, and Digital Toolkits for campaign materials. The platform also supports professional development through the Competent Persons Scheme (CPS), the Ofqual-regulated SFJ Level 3 Award qualification (endorsed by Counter Terrorism Policing), and the Counter Terrorism Security Specialists Register. Additional offerings include the Blue Book personal security guide and operational services through the National Barrier Asset managed by NVTMU. Content is delivered via web platform, with SCORM packages available for LMS integration.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ACT Awareness e-Learning
- ACT Security e-Learning
- ACT for Education
- ACT in a BOX Exercises
- ACT for Local Authorities
- The Roadmap
- Crime Prevention Toolkit
- Guide Shelter Report (GSR)
- Digital Toolkits
- Competent Persons Scheme (CPS)
- SFJ Level 3 Award in Counter Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness
- Counter Terrorism Security Specialists Register (CTSSR)
- Blue Book: A Guide to Personal Security
- National Barrier Asset (via NVTMU)
- Inside Counter Terrorism Podcast
Quantifiable outcome
- ACT Awareness e-Learning course updated in 2026 with significant improvements to accessibility, content, and practical application
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use ProtectUK
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
ProtectUK technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
ProtectUK partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- National Counter Terrorism Police Headquarters (CTPHQ)coreNaCTSO is a police-hosted unit within the National Counter Terrorism Police Headquarters (CTPHQ). CTPHQ provides the operational and strategic framework within which NaCTSO delivers the ProtectUK platform and counter terrorism protective security guidance.
- Home OfficecoreThe Home Office is the lead government department for counter-terrorism and provides strategic support and oversight for the ProtectUK project. It publishes statutory guidance for Martyn's Law (Terrorism Protection of Premises Act 2025) and funds initiatives including the SFJ Level 3 Award in Counter Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness.
- National Protective Security Authority (NPSA)coreNPSA works collaboratively with NaCTSO on protective security guidance, hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM), and the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 implementation. Joint products include guidance on temporary Vehicle Security Barriers (VSBs) and Venues and Public Spaces (VaPS) guidance.
- Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP)coreCounter Terrorism Policing is the overarching law enforcement network that houses NaCTSO. ProtectUK and NaCTSO operate as part of CTP's Protect and Prepare strands. CTP endorses the Security Specialists Register and the ACT suite of products.
- SFJ AwardscoreSFJ Awards developed the SFJ Level 3 Award in Counter Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness in collaboration with NaCTSO and with Home Office funding. SFJ Awards is an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation. NaCTSO staff are present at SFJ Awards stands at industry events.
- Joint Security & Resilience Centre (JSaRC)minorJSaRC, part of the Home Office, hosts the Security & Policing Conference at which NaCTSO exhibits. JSaRC brings together vetted professionals from law enforcement, government, industry, and resilience sectors.
- Pool-ReminorPool-Re, the UK pool reinsurer, is listed as a partner organisation visible on the ProtectUK website footer. The nature of the partnership relates to shared security and resilience objectives for UK businesses.
- Security Industry Authority (SIA)coreThe SIA is the regulator for Martyn's Law (Terrorism Protection of Premises Act 2025). NaCTSO works closely with the SIA on the legislation's implementation, providing expertise on protective security and preparedness requirements for premises and events in scope.
- UK Cinema AssociationminorThe UK Cinema Association partnered with NaCTSO's Business Engagement Unit to host an industry event on terrorism preparedness for cinema businesses, highlighting risks, security strategies, staff training, and Martyn's Law requirements.
- Local Authorities (UK)coreNaCTSO's ACT for Local Authorities programme works with local authorities across the UK across five priority areas: planning and development, licensing, community safety, transport and highways, and emergency planning. Approximately 30+ Local Authorities participated in the Zones North East Pilot.
- Register of Security Engineers and Specialists (RSES)minorRSES developed the Counter Terrorism Security Specialists Register (CTSSR) in collaboration with NaCTSO. The register, endorsed by Counter Terrorism Policing, provides access to vetted protective security specialists for businesses and organisations.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ProtectUK competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- SANS Institute: Global cybersecurity and security training organisation offering courses, certifications, and awareness content — comparable to ProtectUK's training and certification offerings (SFJ Level 3 Award, CPS) but commercial and globally focused across security disciplines.
- Get Safe Online: UK-based free public-private partnership providing online safety and security awareness advice to UK citizens and small businesses — closely mirrors ProtectUK's free, government-aligned advisory/training model for UK end users.
- KnowBe4: Commercial security awareness training platform offering e-learning, simulated phishing, and compliance training — comparable to ProtectUK's ACT Awareness e-Learning model but with a commercial, global SaaS approach and broader cybersecurity focus.
- Hoxhunt: Commercial security awareness training platform specialising in behavioural security training and phishing simulations — comparable e-learning/training product model to ProtectUK's ACT Awareness but commercially focused on enterprise buyers.
Others
- Crimestoppers UK: UK charity providing anonymous crime reporting and crime prevention awareness — adjacent to ProtectUK's public-facing safety/security awareness mission and community engagement model, though focused on general crime rather than counter-terrorism.
- Pool Re: UK terrorism reinsurance pool and listed ProtectUK partner organisation with shared security and resilience objectives for UK businesses — adjacent in the UK counter-terrorism risk mitigation ecosystem but operating in reinsurance rather than advisory/training.
- Action Fraud: UK national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre providing awareness and prevention advice to UK businesses and the public — comparable UK police-hosted advisory/reporting model to NaCTSO's ProtectUK, but focused on fraud rather than counter-terrorism.
Broad incumbents
- National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC): UK government organisation providing authoritative cybersecurity advice, training, and awareness across UK businesses and the public — structurally similar to ProtectUK's model of free, government-backed security advisory and training for UK businesses and citizens.
Regional players
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): US federal counterpart providing government-led cybersecurity and infrastructure security advisory, training, and awareness to US businesses, government, and critical infrastructure — analogous to ProtectUK's role in UK national security advisory but operating in the US.
Direct peers
- National Protective Security Authority (NPSA): UK government authority for protective security, working in close partnership with NaCTSO/ProtectUK on hostile vehicle mitigation, VaPS guidance, and protective security products. Both operate within the UK national security architecture providing protective security advice to public and private sectors.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ProtectUK social profiles
Digital presenceProtectUK financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ProtectUK leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
ProtectUK funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ProtectUK M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ProtectUK
What does ProtectUK do?
ProtectUK is a free, government-operated web platform delivering counter-terrorism protective security advice, guidance, and e-learning to UK businesses, venues, local authorities, education settings, and community organisations. The core offering is the ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) suite of training products plus structured planning tools, digital campaign toolkits, and statutory guidance supporting compliance with Martyn's Law (Terrorism Protection of Premises Act 2025). Content is delivered through the protectuk.police.uk website with SCORM packages for LMS integration, and supported by a UK-wide field network of Counter Terrorism Security Advisors.
Is ProtectUK a public or private company?
ProtectUK is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was ProtectUK founded?
ProtectUK was founded in -1. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is ProtectUK based?
ProtectUK is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does ProtectUK make money?
One revenue line is on record: publicly Funded Services (No Revenue).
Who are ProtectUK's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are SANS Institute, Get Safe Online, KnowBe4 and Hoxhunt. Others are Crimestoppers UK, Pool Re and Action Fraud. National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is listed as a broad incumbent. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is listed as a regional player. National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) is listed as a direct peer.
Does ProtectUK have an API?
No public API is recorded for ProtectUK.
What industry is ProtectUK in?
ProtectUK's product category is Counter-terrorism security advisory services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAKAAAG, Public Sector Guarding (Government Buildings, Courthouses). Its NAICS code is 9281 and its SIC code is 7381.