In 2024, UK businesses faced approximately 7.78 million cybercrimes, averaging over 21,000 attacks per day.
Smaller organisations, in particular, are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals because they often have fewer resources and are seen as more vulnerable.
One of the best ways to improve your business’s cybersecurity is through the Cyber Essentials Accreditation, a government-backed scheme designed to help businesses of all sizes safeguard themselves against the most common cyber threats.
This guide will explain what Cyber Essentials is, why it’s imperative for your business, and how you can get started.
What Is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is an independently verified self-assessment certification aimed at helping businesses protect themselves from the most common cybersecurity threats.
It is a scheme launched by the UK government and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to promote good cyber security practices among organisations.
What Does It Cover?
Cyber Essentials creates a baseline for cybersecurity, assessing five simple yet effective security measures:
1. Firewalls
2. Secure configuration
3. Security update management
4. Malware protection
5. User access control
These controls help businesses minimise their cybersecurity risks with data suggesting that 80% fewer cyber insurance claims are made when Cyber Essentials is in place.
Whether you’re a small local shop or an ambitious start-up, adopting Cyber Essentials can protect your business, your customers, and your reputation.
Who Is It For?
Cyber Essentials is designed for businesses of all types and sizes, from SMEs to larger enterprises. It’s especially valuable for small businesses without extensive IT resources.
Why Is Cyber Essentials Important?
For SMEs, the consequences of a cyberattack can be devastating, both financially and reputationally. Cyber Essentials helps mitigate these risks while offering several added benefits. These include:
Protection Against Common Threats
The five controls required by Cyber Essentials ensure your business is secured against typical threats like phishing, password breaches, and malware attacks.
Building Customer Trust
Having Cyber Essentials certification assures clients and partners that your business prioritises cybersecurity, building trust and demonstrating your commitment to protecting sensitive information.
Regulatory Compliance
Cyber Essentials supports compliance with regulations like GDPR by ensuring certain standards of data protection. For businesses collecting and managing customer data, this certification can help demonstrate legal responsibility.
Cost-Effective Defence
Investing in Cyber Essentials is far more economical than recovering from a cyberattack.
The 5 Key Cyber Essentials Security Controls
Cyber Essentials outlines five key security controls that can help against cyber threats. They are:
Firewalls
A firewall acts like a security gate between your internal network (or device) and the internet. It blocks unwanted traffic and helps stop cybercriminals from sneaking in.
Overview
- Install a firewall on all work devices.
- Limit access to trusted users only.
- Regularly check and update your firewall rules.
Our Advice: Ensure your firewall blocks any suspicious traffic and only allows necessary services (e.g., email, web browsing to whitelisted sites).
Secure configuration
Many devices come with default “open” settings that are convenient but not secure. Adjust these to reduce vulnerabilities and turn off any unnecessary features.
Overview
- Change default usernames and passwords.
- Disable or remove unused services and software.
- Set devices and apps to share only the minimum information needed.
Security update management
Software and operating systems often have weaknesses (vulnerabilities) that hackers exploit once they become public knowledge. Keeping everything updated closes these loopholes.
Overview
- Update or “patch” all devices, apps, and operating systems regularly.
- Use only supported software. If it’s outdated and no longer supported, remove it or upgrade.
- Turn on automatic updates whenever possible.
Our Advice: Schedule weekly checks to ensure all critical patches, like Windows updates, are installed promptly.
Malware protection
Malware (malicious software) includes viruses, spyware, and ransomware that can steal data, corrupt files, or lock you out of your system.
Overview
- Use antivirus or anti-malware tools on all devices and ensure they are maintained.
- Run regular security scans.
- Consider additional protection methods like “whitelisting” (allowing only approved software) or sandboxing (isolating software so it can’t harm the main system).
Our Advice: Install reliable antivirus software and schedule daily or weekly full system scans.
User access control
Not everyone needs access to everything. Restricting access reduces the chance of accidental or intentional misuse, and limits what criminals can do if they compromise a single account.
Overview
- Grant employees access only to the data and tools they need for their job.
- Use role-based access control (e.g., accountants can view payroll, but marketers cannot).
- Only give “admin” rights to staff members who truly need them.
Our Advice: Regularly review who has admin privileges and remove them from people who no longer need elevated access.
What Are The Business Benefits Of Cyber Essentials?
Why is Cyber Essentials a smart investment for SMEs? It offers tangible business advantages, beyond just reducing risks.
Keeps Your Business Secure
By addressing the most common threats, Cyber Essentials ensures your defenses account for vulnerabilities cybercriminals often exploit.
Enhances Business Opportunities
Cyber Essentials certification can become a competitive advantage, helping you stand out to clients, partners, and suppliers, particularly those vetting vendors for compliance.
Positions You For Government (& Other Large) Contracts
For many government contracts in the UK, Cyber Essentials is a mandatory requirement. Therefore, these certifications can open doors to public sector partnerships. In addition, many other corporations are also starting to demand some level of cyber-security certification before they will engage in business.
Saves Your Business Money
Think of Cyber Essentials as affordable digital insurance. It’s far less expensive than recovering from ransomware attacks or data breaches. It also can make a tangible difference to your actual business insurance costs. Many insurance policies simply don’t cover the business for loss due to cyber attack unless some form of cyber certification is in place.
How Much Does Cyber Essentials Cost?
Cyber Essentials IASME Certification uses a tiered pricing structure based on the number of employees in an organisation, following the UK government’s size criteria:
- Micro (0–9 employees): £320 + VAT
- Small (10–49 employees): £440 + VAT
- Medium (50–249 employees): £500 + VAT
- Large (250+ employees): £600 + VAT
Prices start at £320 + VAT for a micro-organisation and rise up to £600 + VAT for larger organisations, reflecting the increased complexity in assessing bigger businesses.
Third party assistance to interpret requirements and make changes: Typically £500 - £2000
How to Get Certified in Cyber Essentials
- Understand Requirements: Familiarise yourself with the Cyber Essentials criteria. Resources are available on certification bodies like IASME (Information Assurance for Small and Medium Enterprises)’s website or you can contact a specialist team that can help you every step of the way.
- Choose a certification partner: In theory a business can work through this themselves, but in reality a partner that understands the technology and process is usually required to guide you through the process.
- Complete the Self-Assessment: For Cyber Essentials, start with a self-assessment questionnaire to review your business systems.
- Implement Necessary Change: Address gaps such as outdated software or weak employee passwords.
- Apply for Certification: Submit your responses for review and you’re done!
- Our advice: Train your team to reinforce cybersecurity awareness, ensuring successful certification.
Transform Your Business Security Today
Investing in Cyber Essentials is the first step for SMEs looking to secure their businesses against increasing cyber threats. Beyond safeguarding your operations, it positions your business as trustworthy, responsible, and forward-thinking.
Take action today and get in touch to find out how we can help your business get Cyber Essentials accredited.