Cyber Essentials Explained: A Practical Guide for UK Businesses

Cyber Essentials is a government-backed certification designed to help UK organisations of all sizes protect against common cyber threats. But what exactly does it involve? And is it worth the effort?

In this guide, we’ll break down the scheme in simple terms, outline the benefits, explain the differences between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus, and help you decide if it’s right for your organisation.

What Is Cyber Essentials?

Cyber Essentials is a UK Government-backed scheme developed by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). It sets out a baseline of cyber security best practices, helping organisations guard against the most common online threats.

At its core, Cyber Essentials focuses on five key controls:

1. Firewalls – Protect your internet connection.
2. Secure Configuration – Set up devices and software securely.
3. User Access Control – Ensure only the right people can access your data and services.
4. Malware Protection – Defend against viruses and other malicious software.
5. Security Update Management – Keep devices and software up to date.

By implementing these controls, businesses can significantly reduce their risk of a cyber attack — by as much as 80%, according to earlier UK Government guidance on the scheme.

Why Cyber Essentials Matters

Cyber threats are on the rise, and many of the most damaging attacks exploit simple oversights. Cyber Essentials helps you:

• Demonstrate compliance with basic cyber hygiene standards.
• Protect your organisation from common threats like phishing, ransomware, and password attacks.
• Reassure customers, partners, and stakeholders that you take cyber security seriously.
• Meet tender requirements, particularly for public sector contracts.

Cyber Essentials vs Cyber Essentials Plus

Feature	Cyber Essentials	Cyber Essentials Plus
Self-assessment	✅	✅
External audit	❌	✅
Internal vulnerability scan	❌	✅
External vulnerability scan	❌	✅
Ideal for	Small businesses starting out	Businesses needing deeper assurance or working with sensitive data

Cyber Essentials is a great first step, while Cyber Essentials Plus offers an additional layer of assurance through independent assessment.

What’s Changed in 2025?

As of April 2025, the NCSC’s ‘Willow’ update introduces several important changes:

• Organisations must now provide more evidence during the self-assessment.
• There are stricter requirements around third-party devices (e.g., contractors’ laptops).
• High and critical vulnerabilities must be resolved before certification.

You can read more about the update on the NCSC website.

Is Cyber Essentials Right for You?

Cyber Essentials is suitable for:

• SMEs looking to improve their basic defences.
• Non-profits wanting to protect sensitive supporter data.
• Businesses applying for government contracts.

Even if certification isn’t mandatory in your sector, it can act as a strong foundation for cyber maturity and show stakeholders you take security seriously.

Simple Steps to Stay Protected

Whether you’re going for certification or not, the core principles of Cyber Essentials are smart to follow:

• Use strong passwords (and a password manager)
• Turn on multi-factor authentication
• Keep devices and software updated
• Remove unused accounts and software
• Train your team regularly on cyber awareness

These basics can stop a surprising number of attacks in their tracks.

Want to go further? CYAN offers support with certification, policy reviews, and practical next steps to keep your business secure.

Final Thought: Cyber Essentials and Beyond

Cyber Essentials isn’t just about ticking a compliance box — it’s about building a stronger, safer organisation from the ground up.

It gives your customers confidence, your board peace of mind, and your team a clearer framework for staying safe online.

If you’re thinking about Cyber Essentials or just want to understand your next best step, get in touch with our friendly team.