Cyber Essentials certification
Being Cyber Essentials Plus certified ourselves means that in addition to our extensive knowledge of IT and cyber security, we know exactly what’s involved in the certification process.
Why choose Priority IT to help you with Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus certification
Priority IT helps you achieve certification through our partnership with Cyber Tec, who conduct the assessments. We manage the process for you and deal directly with Cyber Tec on your behalf. This makes the process simple and avoids the confusion that can be caused by all all the technical cyber-security jargon.
We start by conducting a pre-assessment of your business. While this will provide you with confidence about whether you’ll succeed before you commit to the full assessment, following our recommendations from this point on will ensure a successful pass.
We use our mobile device and network tools to gather all the necessary information about your systems. And by being your nominated technical contact, we complete all technical questions within the assessments.
Read on for more about Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus. You can also call us on 01225 636000 for advice, or email hello@priorityit.co.uk
Cyber threats are a constant concern for businesses of all sizes. The UK Government-backed Cyber Essentials scheme is a straightforward and effective way to protect your organisation from the most common cyber attacks.
Five reasons your business should be Cyber Essentials certified
1. Protect against common cyber security threats
Cyber Essentials focuses on five key technical controls that significantly reduce your vulnerability to threats like ransomware and phishing. According to IASME, certified organisations are 92% less likely to make a claim on their cyber insurance than those without certification.
2. Build trust and credibility with those who matter
Certification demonstrates your commitment to cyber security. It reassures customers, suppliers, and stakeholders that you take data protection seriously. Displaying the certification on your website or email footer is a powerful signal of trustworthiness.
3. Win more business
Many UK government contracts and funding opportunities now require Cyber Essentials certification. Major banks and institutions are also integrating it into their supplier requirements, making it a valuable credential for competitive bids.
4. Enjoy insurance benefits
Businesses with certification may benefit from lower insurance premiums. If your company is UK-based with a turnover under £20 million, certification can also include cyber insurance as part of the package.
5. Support other important forms of compliance
The assessment process also helps organisations meet legal obligations such as GDPR by ensuring systems are secure against unauthorised access and cyber threats.
FAQs
Cyber Essentials Plus includes the same five controls as standard Cyber Essentials but also requires independent, hands-on technical verification by an accredited assessor. This includes external and internal vulnerability scans, device configuration checks, malware protection verification, and validation of access controls.
Yes. A valid Cyber Essentials certificate is required before undertaking Cyber Essentials Plus.
Costs depend on organisation size and complexity. Priority IT provides fixed-cost quotes including remediation support.
Yes. Most organisations that achieve certification receive £25,000 of free cyber liability insurance, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. This cover typically includes incident response, legal assistance, data recovery, and financial protection after an attack.
But note that this does not replace the need for dedicated cyber insurance. Certification reduces risk by improving your security posture, while dedicated cyber insurance provides specific financial protection if an incident occurs. (Note that many insurers offer reduced premiums for certified organisations.)
It is mandatory for UK Government contracts involving personal information or technical data. For contracts with other organisations, it is optional but strongly recommended (not least because it helps to show your business is diligent and professional).
The most common reason for failure is out-of-date software or unsupported hardware. If you fail Cyber Essentials, you are allowed a limited amout remediation time to set things straight. With Cyber Essentials Plus, you are required to resolve any issues before certification.
But don’t worry: Priority IT will identify any issues before you commit to the assessment process.
Cyber Essentials typically takes 1 to 3 days, while Cyber Essentials Plus can take 1 to 5 days depending on the environment.
Both certifications are valid for 12 months and require annual renewal.
Ensure devices are patched, MFA is enabled, admin accounts are secured, firewalls are configured, and unused accounts/software are removed. Priority IT can help you will all of this.
Yes. Cloud platforms such as Microsoft 365, Azure, Google Workspace, and AWS must meet Cyber Essentials requirements.
Yes. Priority IT provides assessments, remediation, audit management, and annual compliance support.
If you have other questions about Cyber Essentials, we’re here to help. Call us on 01225 636000 or email hello@priorityit.co.uk
Don’t just take our word for it: here’s what our clients say…
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