Spoiler: It’s probably more than you think.
IT outages are rarely just a tech issue. When your systems go down, it hits productivity, delays client work, damages trust, and if you’re not prepared can wipe out thousands of pounds in a matter of hours.
So, we’ve built a simple, interactive Downtime Cost Calculator to help you see exactly how downtime could affect your bottom line.
In 2025, retail giant Marks & Spencer was hit by a cyber attack that disrupted payroll, compromised data, and triggered widespread reputational fallout. The financial damage? Still being counted but estimates run into the millions.
Meanwhile, Knights of Old, a logistics company based in Kettering, wasn’t so lucky. After suffering a ransomware attack, they went into administration.
Two very different businesses. Same core issue: unplanned downtime.
And here’s the question no SME wants to ask until it’s too late:
“If it happened to us… could we survive?”
How Does Your Downtime Risk Compare?
The table below shows typical financial impacts of downtime for UK SMEs, based on real-world industry reports and average business profiles.
| Scenario | Estimated Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Short Outage (2–4 hours) | £2,000 – £5,000 | Typical impact from network issues or brief power loss |
| Day-long Interruption (8 hours) | £6,000 – £12,000 | Includes lost revenue and staff productivity |
| Ransomware Incident | £10,000 – £25,000 | Based on recovery time of 1–3 days and potential client churn |
| Your Calculated Risk | See above result | Use this comparison to benchmark your exposure |
Calculate Your Downtime Cost
Reduce Your Risk. Protect Your Business.
Once you’ve seen your potential losses, take the next step. Bondgate IT offers Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery planning tailored to SMEs across the UK
Frequently Asked Questions
It varies depending on sector and severity, but most SMEs face costs between £2,000 and £25,000 per incident. This calculator helps you model your specific exposure.
Yes. Whether you’re a law firm, manufacturer, charity, or private healthcare provider, this tool uses flexible inputs to reflect different working patterns and revenue profiles.
The best protection is preparation. Bondgate IT helps SMEs create Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) plans that minimise the risk and impact of outages.
Our no-obligation review looks at your IT setup, identifies points of failure, and outlines a clear roadmap to improve resilience and recovery time.
Absolutely. Missed SLAs or extended outages can damage trust, impact service delivery, and in some cases lead to loss of business or penalties.
Yes. The calculator factors in recovery time, productivity impact, and client churn common consequences of ransomware, phishing, or other cyber incidents.