Cyber Essentials Certification
Over 80% of successful cyber attacks exploit basic vulnerabilities that Cyber Essentials is designed to prevent
At NetMonkeys, we help UK businesses achieve Cyber Essentials Certification quickly, affordably, and without the jargon. Whether you’re applying for Cyber Essentials for the first time or aiming to meet the more rigorous Cyber Essentials Plus requirements, our experts guide you every step of the way, from initial assessment through to full compliance and certification.
We break down the technical detail into plain English, helping you understand not just what the cyber essentials requirements are, but why they matter to your business. Our goal isn’t just to get you cyber essentials certified, it’s to make sure your business is genuinely safer and future-ready.
Why Get Cyber Essentials Certified?
Cyber Essentials Certification is a simple yet powerful way to protect your business from common cyber threats. By covering five key security controls, it helps block around 80% of routine attacks like phishing and malware. It’s often a requirement for government and public sector contracts, meaning certification can open the door to new opportunities.
Being cyber essentials certified also builds trust with clients and stakeholders by showing you take data protection seriously. Plus, it may reduce your cyber insurance premiums and help you stay compliant with regulations, making it a smart investment in both security and credibility.
Our Cyber Essentials Certification Services
At NetMonkeys, we provide a comprehensive suite of services designed to help your business achieve and maintain Cyber Essentials Certification with confidence. Whether you’re just starting your cybersecurity journey or looking to upgrade to Cyber Essentials Plus, our expert team supports you at every step to meet all cyber essentials requirements efficiently and effectively.
Cyber Essentials Gap Analysis
Certification Preparation
Cybersecurity Training
Vulnerability Scanning
Remediation Support
Ongoing Support
Our Cyber Essentials Experts
At NetMonkeys, our Cyber Essentials experts are more than just consultants, they are trusted partners dedicated to helping your business navigate the complex landscape of cybersecurity with ease. With extensive experience in managing Cyber Essentials Certification and Cyber Essentials Plus requirements, our team understands exactly what it takes to protect your organisation against the most common cyber threats while meeting rigorous industry standards.
We take the time to understand your unique business environment and tailor solutions that align with your goals, ensuring a smooth and efficient certification process. From conducting thorough assessments and gap analyses to delivering practical, engaging cybersecurity training, our experts provide hands-on support every step of the way
Cyber Essentials Controls
The Cyber Essentials controls form the foundation of effective cybersecurity for any business. These five key areas include secure configuration to prevent vulnerabilities, boundary firewalls and internet gateways to block unauthorised access, access control to limit who can use your systems, malware protection to detect and remove harmful software, and patch management to keep software up to date.
Meeting these controls is essential for Cyber Essentials Certification and ensures your business is protected against the most common cyber threats.
Secure Configuration
Properly configuring your devices and software is the first step to reducing vulnerabilities. This means disabling unnecessary features and settings that could be exploited by attackers. By meeting this control, your business builds a strong foundation for Cyber Essentials Certification, ensuring systems are locked down and less prone to breach
Boundary Firewalls
These act as the frontline defence, controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic to prevent unauthorised access. Effective firewalls are critical for complying with Cyber Essentials requirements, stopping attackers before they can reach your internal systems and data
Access Control
Limiting user access ensures that only authorised personnel can reach sensitive systems and information. This control includes strong password policies and role-based permissions, helping businesses meet the cyber essentials certification criteria while minimising insider and external risks.
Malware Protection
Protecting your systems from viruses, ransomware, and other malicious software is a key pillar of the Cyber Essentials controls. Using reputable antivirus tools and keeping them updated reduces the risk of infection and supports your journey to becoming cyber essentials certified.
Patch Management
Keeping software and operating systems up to date with the latest security patches is crucial. Unpatched systems are a common entry point for cyberattacks. Meeting the Cyber Essentials Plus requirements includes demonstrating effective patch management to ensure your environment stays resilient against evolving threats.
Cyber Essentials Certification can reduce the risk of cyber attacks by up to 80%
Who Needs Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials Certification is essential for any organisation that takes cybersecurity seriously, but certain businesses especially benefit from becoming certified. You should seriously consider Cyber Essentials Certification if your company stores sensitive customer or employee data that needs protection from cyber threats. If you work with the UK government, Ministry of Defence, or other public sector bodies, certification is often a mandatory requirement to qualify for contracts and tenders.
Organisations Handling Sensitive Data
If your business stores or processes sensitive customer, employee, or financial data, Cyber Essentials is essential. Certification helps protect this information from cyber threats and demonstrates your commitment to safeguarding privacy.
Companies Seeking Competitive Advantage
Achieving Cyber Essentials Certification can set you apart from competitors by proving your cybersecurity maturity. It helps you win more tenders, build trust with clients, and open doors to new business opportunities.
Businesses Working with Government and Public Sector
Many UK government departments and public sector organisations require Cyber Essentials Certification to qualify for contracts. If you work with the government or Ministry of Defence, certification is often mandatory to maintain eligibility.
Organisations Looking to Reduce Risk and Costs
Cyber Essentials reduces the likelihood of cyber attacks and data breaches, which can be costly and damaging. Additionally, some insurers offer reduced premiums to certified companies, making it a smart financial and security investment.
Our Approach to Cyber Essentials Certification
Assess and Plan
We begin by evaluating your current cybersecurity posture against the cyber essentials requirements. Our experts identify gaps and tailor a clear, practical plan to prepare your business for certification or upgrade to Cyber Essentials Plus.
Implement and Train
Next, we help you implement the necessary security controls, from secure configuration to access management. We also deliver customised cybersecurity training to empower your team and reduce human risk, a critical part of maintaining your certification.
Test and Certify
Finally, we conduct thorough testing, including vulnerability scans and compliance checks, to ensure you meet all standards. Once ready, we support you through the official certification process and offer ongoing guidance to keep your defences strong.
Cyber Essentials Vs Cyber Essentials Plus
Cyber Essentials provides a fundamental level of protection by focusing on five essential security controls that help guard your business against common cyber threats. It involves a self-assessment questionnaire and basic verification to confirm your organisation meets the core cyber essentials requirements.
Cyber Essentials Plus goes a step further with hands-on technical testing, including vulnerability scans and internal system checks, to validate your security measures in practice. This enhanced level of certification offers greater assurance to customers and partners that your systems are robust and resilient.
We Help All Industries Stay Cyber Secure
Achieving Cyber Essentials Certification demonstrates your commitment to protecting your business against common online threats. This government-backed scheme helps organisations of all sizes strengthen their cybersecurity, safeguard sensitive data, and build trust with clients and partners. By certifying, you not only reduce the risk of cyberattacks but also show that your business takes security and compliance seriously—giving you a competitive edge in today’s digital landscape.
Industry & Manufacturing
Transportation & Logistics
Healthcare
Banks & Insurance
Consulting Providers
Non-Profit
Build client trust with proven cyber resilience.
Cyber Essentials: your first step to stronger security.
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Cyber Essentials certification - FAQs
What is Cyber Essentials certification?
Cyber Essentials certification is a UK government-backed scheme that helps organisations protect themselves from common cyber threats. It demonstrates that your business has the essential security controls in place to safeguard data and systems.
Why should my business get Cyber Essentials accreditation?
Achieving Cyber Essentials accreditation builds trust with clients, protects sensitive data, and can give you a competitive advantage when bidding for contracts, particularly with government and public sector organisations.
How can a Cyber Essentials company help me?
A trusted Cyber Essentials company like NetMonkeys can guide you through the process, from completing the assessment to implementing security controls and achieving certification quickly and efficiently.
What is included in the Cyber Essentials checklist?
The Cyber Essentials checklist covers five key areas: firewalls, secure configuration, user access control, malware protection, and patch management. These are the basic controls required to defend against most common cyber threats.
Is Cyber Essentials certification mandatory?
While not mandatory for all businesses, Cyber Essentials certification is often required for companies working with government or public sector contracts. For SMEs, it’s a simple and effective way to demonstrate cybersecurity commitment.
How long does it take to achieve Cyber Essentials accreditation?
The timeline depends on your current IT setup. Many SMEs can achieve Cyber Essentials accreditation within a few days to a few weeks, especially with the support of an experienced Cyber Essentials company.
What’s the difference between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus?
Both provide the same core framework, but Cyber Essentials Plus involves an independent technical audit. Many businesses start with Cyber Essentials certification and then progress to Plus for a more comprehensive accreditation.
