What Is Cyber Essentials – and Does My Business Need It?
You’ve probably heard the term Cyber Essentials thrown around — maybe in client questionnaires, government contracts, or even from your insurance provider.
But what exactly is it, and why should your business care?
In simple terms:
Cyber Essentials is a government-backed certification that helps protect your business against the most common cyber threats.
And at Beyond, we help you get there — with less stress, better security, and more peace of mind.
What Is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a UK Government-backed scheme, supported by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). It sets out five key technical controls that your business must have in place to defend against the majority of cyber attacks.
These five controls are:
Firewalls and Internet Gateways – Controlling access to your network
Secure Configuration – Removing unnecessary apps and tightening settings
Access Control – Limiting admin rights and user permissions
Malware Protection – Using antivirus or advanced threat detection
Patch Management – Keeping devices and software up to date
If you have these in place, you’re protected from 80–90% of common threats like phishing, malware, and unauthorised access.
Two Levels of Certification
Cyber Essentials (Basic):
Self-assessment with external review — fast, cost-effective, and perfect for smaller businesses.Cyber Essentials Plus:
Everything in Basic, plus a hands-on technical audit to verify protections — often required for enterprise or government contracts.
We can help with either option.
Why Should My Business Get Cyber Essentials?
Here’s what Cyber Essentials helps you do:
| Benefit | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| Boost security | Reduce risk from common attacks |
| Win more business | Stand out in tenders and supply chains |
| Meet compliance | Required for many public sector contracts |
| Lower insurance premiums | Some cyber insurers offer discounts |
| Build client trust | Show you take data protection seriously |
It’s not just a tick-box — it’s a practical, affordable step toward stronger security.
Is It Mandatory?
Cyber Essentials is not legally required — but it is:
Mandatory for many UK government contracts
Increasingly required in supply chain agreements
Strongly encouraged by cyber insurers and regulators
Even if no one’s demanding it from you yet… they likely will soon. We always recommend businesses get certified, no matter the size, to ensure your business stays secure in an ever changing threat landscape.
Is My Business Too Small for This?
Absolutely not. In fact, Cyber Essentials is designed for SMEs — it’s a low-cost, high-impact framework that makes security accessible for all businesses.
Whether you’re a 1-person consultancy or a 100-user firm, Cyber Essentials gives you a solid foundation to build on.
How Beyond Makes It Easy
We help you:
Understand the requirements (in plain English)
Review your systems and identify gaps
Fix any issues (with our support or your team’s)
Submit your certification application
Prepare for Cyber Essentials Plus, if needed
We make it painless — and you’ll come out safer and stronger.
Final Word
Cyber Essentials isn’t just a security tool — it’s a business enabler.
It helps you:
Protect what matters
Prove your professionalism
Prepare for growth
Gain more business by showing you’re security first
Ready to get certified or have questions?
Let’s chat — we’ll help you decide the right path and guide you every step of the way.
Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be complex — and with Beyond, it won’t be.