Cyber Essentials is a Government-backed scheme that has been developed to protect organisations against a wide range of common cyber attacks. Certification demonstrates to your clients that you are taking steps to reduce the risk of a cyber incident. It can aid in winning new business (often requested as part of due diligence / supply chain security assurance) and is required for some Government contracts.
By becoming Cyber Essentials certified, organisations not only demonstrate their commitment to cybersecurity but also receive automatic cyber liability insurance. This insurance provides financial protection against potential damages from cyber incidents (there are terms and is based on an annual turnover of less than £20m). This approach makes sure that businesses can proactively safeguard operations and reduce risks.
Cyber Essentials Certification
Complete the self-assessment questionnaire on our branded portal which will then be assessed by our qualified Assessors.
How much does it cost to become Cyber Essentials Certified?
| Organisation Size | No. of Employees | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Micro Organisations | 0 - 9 Employees | £300 + VAT |
| Small Organisations | 10 - 49 Employees | £400 + VAT |
| Medium Organisations | 50 - 249 Employees | £450 + VAT |
| Large Organisations | 250+ Employees | £500 + VAT |
Cyber Essentials Support
Principle Defence provides additional cost-effective support for organisations that need some extra help with gaining the certification. Our team of Cyber Consultants, who are all Cyber Essentials Assessors provide support during your certification journey. This is ideal for companies who need some help or want to gain certification quickly, as we can provide feedback on your answers prior to them being submitted for marking.
1 What are the benefits of certification?
- Your organisation is safeguarded against common cyber threats
- Many organisations have found that their reputation improves simply by being vigilant with their customer and clients information
- Being Cyber Essentials Certification reassures your clients and customers that you take cyber security seriously
- Many organisations require their suppliers and partners to be Cyber Essentials certified. By becoming certified yourselves, you can meet these requirements and position yourselves as trusted partners.
2 Which organisations should become Cyber Essentials Certified?
Cyber Essentials is suitable for all organisations, of any size, and in any sector. Additionally, anyone bidding for Government contracts involving the handling of certain sensitive and personal information may need to be certified.
3 How long does Cyber Essentials Certification last?
The Cyber Essentials certification is valid for 12 months. Once you have become certified, your organisation can proudly display the Cyber Essentials badge to demonstrate your commitment to cybersecurity. It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to become certified, depending on the size and scale of your organisation so it’s important to remember this when it becomes time to renew.
4 Where can I find documentation on the Cyber Essentials scheme?
The National Cyber Security Centre has made available a wide range of resources including a readiness toolkit to help you prepare for Cyber Essentials certification. In addition to this, you can download a copy of the Cyber Essentials questions on IASME’s website, or send us an email and we can get something over to you.
5 Can I check if an organisation already holds a valid Cyber Essentials certificate?
Yes you can. The Cyber Essentials Certificate search database can be queried by company/organisation name to find organisations holding a valid Cyber Essentials certificate.