Cyber Essentials Certification
Cyber Essentials Certification Made Simple
Achieve Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certification with expert guidance from Britannia IT. We handle the technical work so you can focus on your business.
What Is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed scheme that helps organisations protect themselves against the most common cyber attacks. It focuses on five key technical controls.
Firewalls & Internet Gateways
Ensure your boundary firewalls and internet gateways are correctly configured to protect your network from unauthorised access.
Secure Configuration
Computers and devices are configured to reduce vulnerabilities and provide only the services required for their role.
User Access Control
User accounts are managed effectively with appropriate access levels and strong authentication to prevent unauthorised access.
Malware Protection
Protection against malware through anti-virus software, application whitelisting, or sandboxing to prevent malicious code running.
Patch Management
Software and devices are kept up-to-date with the latest security patches to fix known vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Cyber Essentials vs Cyber Essentials Plus
Cyber Essentials
A self-assessment questionnaire verified by an accredited certification body. Ideal for businesses looking to demonstrate baseline security and meet contract requirements.
- Self-assessment questionnaire
- Verified by accredited body
- Annual certification
- Cost-effective entry point
Cyber Essentials Plus
Includes everything in Cyber Essentials plus a hands-on technical audit by a qualified assessor. Provides higher assurance and is required for some government contracts.
- Everything in Cyber Essentials
- Independent technical audit
- Vulnerability scanning
- Higher level of assurance
Why Your Business Needs Cyber Essentials
Beyond compliance, Cyber Essentials provides real security benefits and business advantages.
Government Contracts
Cyber Essentials certification is mandatory for many government contracts involving handling sensitive or personal data.
Customer Confidence
Demonstrate to clients and partners that you take cyber security seriously with a government-backed certification.
Insurance Benefits
Some cyber insurance providers offer reduced premiums or require Cyber Essentials as a condition of coverage.
Protect Your Business
The five controls address the most common cyber attacks, protecting your business from an estimated 80% of threats.
Supply Chain Requirements
Many larger organisations now require their suppliers to hold Cyber Essentials certification as part of vendor due diligence.
GDPR Compliance
Cyber Essentials demonstrates you have technical measures in place to protect personal data, supporting your GDPR compliance efforts.
How Britannia Helps You Achieve Certification
Our structured process takes the stress out of certification. We guide you through every step.
01
Gap Analysis
We assess your current security posture against the five Cyber Essentials controls and identify any gaps that need addressing.
02
Remediation Support
Our team implements the necessary changes to your systems, policies, and configurations to meet the certification requirements.
03
Self-Assessment Support
We guide you through the self-assessment questionnaire, ensuring your answers are accurate and your evidence is in order.
04
Certification
We submit your assessment through the IASME accreditation body and support you through to successful certification.
05
Ongoing Compliance
Certification is annual. We help you maintain compliance year-round and prepare for smooth re-certification each year.
Cyber Essentials Is Now Mandatory for Many Contracts
Ready to Get Cyber Essentials Certified?
Contact us today for a free gap analysis and find out how quickly your business can achieve certification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed cyber security certification scheme designed to help organisations protect themselves against the most common cyber attacks. It focuses on five key technical controls: firewalls and internet gateways, secure configuration, user access control, malware protection, and patch management. Certification demonstrates that your business meets a baseline standard of cyber security.
The cost of Cyber Essentials certification depends on the size of your organisation. The IASME assessment fee for Cyber Essentials starts from around £300 plus VAT for micro-businesses. Cyber Essentials Plus, which includes a hands-on technical audit, costs more depending on scope. Britannia IT provides end-to-end support including gap analysis, remediation, and certification submission. Call us on 01704 320640 for a tailored quote.
For businesses with reasonably good security practices already in place, certification can be achieved within 2 to 4 weeks. If significant remediation work is needed, it may take longer. Britannia IT handles the gap analysis, remediation, and submission process to get you certified as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Cyber Essentials is a self-assessment questionnaire verified by an accredited certification body. Cyber Essentials Plus includes everything in the basic certification but adds an independent, hands-on technical audit where a qualified assessor tests your systems directly. Plus provides a higher level of assurance and is required for certain government contracts involving sensitive information.
Cyber Essentials is mandatory for UK government contracts that involve handling sensitive or personal data. Beyond government work, many private sector organisations now require their suppliers to hold Cyber Essentials certification as part of supply chain security. Even if not mandatory for your sector, certification reduces your cyber risk by up to 80% and can lower cyber insurance premiums.
Yes, Cyber Essentials certification is valid for 12 months and must be renewed annually. This ensures that your security controls remain up to date as threats evolve. Britannia IT helps you maintain compliance year-round and prepares you for smooth re-certification each year, so you never risk a lapse in your certification status.