What is Cyber Essentials? A Complete Guide for UK Businesses

What is Cyber Essentials?

Cyber Essentials is a UK Government-backed certification scheme designed to help organisations protect themselves against the most common cyber attacks. It was developed by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and provides a clear statement of the basic controls organisations should have in place.

Why Does It Matter?

Beyond the obvious security benefits, Cyber Essentials is increasingly becoming a business requirement:

**Government contracts:** Required for many public sector contracts involving sensitive data

**Supply chain:** Many larger organisations now require suppliers to be certified

**Insurance:** Some cyber insurance providers offer reduced premiums for certified businesses

**Customer confidence:** Demonstrates your commitment to security

The Five Technical Controls

Cyber Essentials focuses on five key areas:

1. Firewalls

Ensuring boundary firewalls and internet gateways are properly configured to protect your network.

2. Secure Configuration

Computers and network devices should be configured to reduce vulnerabilities and provide only the services required.

3. Access Control

User accounts should have appropriate access, and administrative privileges should be limited.

4. Malware Protection

Protection against malware should be installed and kept up to date.

5. Patch Management

Software should be kept up to date with the latest security patches.

Cyber Essentials vs Cyber Essentials Plus

Cyber Essentials is a self-assessment questionnaire verified by an external certifying body.

Cyber Essentials Plus includes everything above, plus an independent technical verification where an assessor tests your systems.

How Long Does Certification Take?

For most SMEs:

**Cyber Essentials:** 2-4 weeks

**Cyber Essentials Plus:** 4-6 weeks

How We Can Help

We guide you through the entire process, from initial assessment to successful certification. Book a free call to discuss your requirements.