Cyber Essentials

Cyber Essentials is a UK government‑backed, industry‑supported certification scheme designed to help organisations protect themselves against the most common cyber threats.

It focuses on a small number of fundamental security controls that, when properly implemented, significantly reduce exposure to risks such as phishing, ransomware, and unauthorised access.

For many businesses, Cyber Essentials is now:

• A minimum standard of cybersecurity
• A requirement for contracts and supply chains
• A way to demonstrate trust and credibility to clients

We provide practical, hands‑on support to help businesses achieve and maintain Cyber Essentials certification without unnecessary complexity.

Cyber Essentials is closely linked to how your systems, users, and cloud platforms such as Microsoft 365 are secured.

Cyber threats affecting UK businesses are often not highly sophisticated — they exploit basic weaknesses such as weak passwords, unpatched systems, or open access.

Cyber Essentials focuses on:

• Blocking common attack routes
• Reducing avoidable risk
• Establishing consistent security practices

The scheme is designed to protect against the majority of everyday cyber threats, not niche or advanced attacks.

These protections rely on correctly configured systems, regular updates, and strong access control.

There are two levels of certification:

Cyber Essentials (Standard)

• Self‑assessment questionnaire
• Verified by a certification body
• Suitable for most SMEs
• Provides baseline assurance

Cyber Essentials Plus

• Includes independent technical testing
• Validates that controls are working in practice
• Required by some organisations and sectors
• Provides a higher level of assurance

Both certifications are valid for 12 months and must be renewed annually.

How We Help You Get Certified

We start by understanding your business, systems, and risks.

From there, we:

• Assess your current security posture
• Identify gaps against Cyber Essentials
• Implement required controls
• Test and validate readiness
• Support your certification submission

We then help maintain your security posture for renewal.

Cyber Essentials is a baseline, not the end goal.

It works best when combined with:

• Microsoft 365 Security
• Endpoint and device management
• Backup and recovery
• Ongoing cybersecurity monitoring

We help position Cyber Essentials as part of a wider, layered security strategy.