How Cyber Essentials can elevate your business

Cyber Essentials is a foundation for strong cyber security in businesses, and as a Managed Service Provider, we believe all organisations should be adopting it.

What Is Cyber Essentials?

Cyber Essentials is a government-backed, industry-supported scheme designed to help companies protect themselves against common online threats. It sets a baseline of five technical controls that every business should have in place:

• Firewalls: Securing internet connections
• Secure configuration: Ensuring systems are set up safely
• User access control: Restricting accounts to the minimum necessary
• Malware protection: Defending against viruses and malicious software
• Patch management: Keeping software up to date to close vulnerabilities

Why Would It Be Beneficial for My Business?

The Cyber Essentials scheme helps businesses reduce the risk of cyber-attacks. It improves customer trust, helps your company meet compliance requirements and can even lower insurance costs. It focuses on protecting against common threats such as phishing, malware and ransomware. Having Cyber Essentials accreditation signals to clients and partners that you take cyber security seriously, giving you a competitive advantage. Organisations with Cyber Essentials certification are 92% less likely to make a cyber insurance claim compared with those without.

How Much Time and Cost Are Typically Involved?

Certification costs vary depending on business size — from around £320 (+VAT) for small businesses to £600 (+VAT) for larger organisations. If your IT systems are already well managed, such as under an MSP, preparation may only take a few days. However, if gaps exist — for example weak access controls or poor patching — the process may take several weeks. The questionnaire is straightforward but requires accurate documentation. Certification must be renewed annually, so businesses should plan for ongoing compliance.

How Do MSPs Help with Cyber Essentials?

A Managed Service Provider can be a major advantage when working towards Cyber Essentials. We guide you through the full process and help implement required controls. MSPs remove the stress by providing continuous monitoring, ensuring compliance is maintained year-round. This includes patch management, endpoint health checks and vulnerability scanning. MSP services also typically include staff training on phishing awareness, password best practices and how to report suspicious activity — covering the human factor within Cyber Essentials. MSPs additionally help gather and present the evidence required for certification.

After achieving certification, an MSP ensures compliance is maintained year after year so renewals become smooth and stress-free.

Choosing a Managed Service Provider

When selecting an MSP to support your Cyber Essentials accreditation, you should check a few key factors. They should hold Cyber Essentials themselves — we hold Cyber Essentials Plus, demonstrating our commitment to security. Ensure they have deep technical expertise and a strong understanding of the five required controls (firewalls, secure configuration, user access control, malware protection and patch management).

Look for MSPs that provide ongoing monitoring — we help maintain compliance through our Managed IT Services package. Your chosen provider should not only help you pass certification but also strengthen long-term cyber security.

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Conclusion

Cyber Essentials provides businesses with a clear, government-backed framework to defend against the most common cyber threats. This accreditation strengthens client trust, unlocks new contract opportunities and reinforces your reputation as a secure and reliable partner. Cyber Essentials empowers businesses to rise above basic security risks, and partnering with an MSP ensures the process is smooth, sustainable and aligned with long-term growth.

Want to become Cyber Essentials accredited? Get in touch with us today.

*Insight source: National Cyber Security Centre