How to get Cyber Essentials Certified 

We previously shared an in-depth guide to Cyber Essentials vs Cyber Essentials Plus, with insights to help you decide which option was best for your organisation.  

This UK government-backed scheme provides a clear framework for defending against prevalent cyber threats, enhancing customer trust, and opening doors to new business opportunities.  

Achieving either of the Cyber Essentials certification options is a pivotal step to fortify your cybersecurity posture and demonstrate your commitment to protecting sensitive information.  

In this blog, we’ll be sharing insights on the Cyber Essentials certification process itself and providing tips to make sure you’re audit ready when the time comes.  

Key Takeaways

• Cyber Essentials certification is a UK government-backed scheme that verifies your organisation has implemented essential security controls to protect against common cyber threats.
• To get certified, you must complete a self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ) covering five core areas: firewalls, secure configuration, access control, malware protection, and patch management.
• Cyber Essentials Plus adds a hands-on audit by a qualified assessor and must be completed within 90 days of your basic certification — it’s ideal for organisations seeking higher assurance.
• Common pitfalls include unsupported systems, poor patch management, and excessive admin privileges — preparing in advance and working with a certified partner like DigitalXRAID can help ensure success.

How Do You Get Cyber Essentials Certified? 

To become Cyber Essentials certified, your organisation must complete a self assessment questionnaire (SAQ) covering the five controls. Your responses are then independently reviewed by an accredited Certification Body (licensed by IASME), such as DigitalXRAID, to verify that you meet the standard and can be certified.  

This process is mainly a self-assessment, where you’ll fill in your details and answers to the SAQ outlining that the required controls are in place. Cyber security service providers that are qualified assessors can offer a managed service to support your certification assessment. They will check your answers before submission to ensure that they fulfil IASME’s requirements and ensure that you achieve certification first time.  

There’s no on-site audit required for the basic Cyber Essentials certification – it’s all about making sure you’ve ticked the right boxes and implemented basic cyber hygiene correctly. 

Cost and Scope 

Cyber Essentials is intentionally designed to be accessible and affordable, especially for small to medium sized businesses (SMEs/SMBs). The certification fee for the self-assessment option is a fixed price – around £300–£600 +VAT depending on your organisation’s size. This fee covers your registration for the self-assessment and, if you pass, a certificate that will be valid for 12 months. You need to renew your Cyber Essentials certification every year.  

The certification can cover your entire organisation or a defined scope, for example just a particular business unit or set of IT systems. But keep in mind that if you limit the scope, you’ll need to justify as exclusion statements and ensure everything outside of the scope is isolated from the certified systems. 

Passing the Cyber Essentials Assessment 

Passing the Cyber Essentials assessment gives you a badge to display on your website and communications, signalling to customers and partners that your organisation has implemented a minimum baseline of cybersecurity controls. You will also be listed on the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) website for added assurance for customers and partners.  

It’s important to understand that Cyber Essentials is just the first step – it provides a basic level of assurance but doesn’t include an independent check on your security control methods.  

Cyber Essentials Plus Requirements 

To be able to achieve Cyber Essentials Plus certification, you must have achieved the basic Cyber Essentials certification. The Cyber Essentials Plus audit must be completed within 3 months (90 days) of your CE certification date.   

If you wait any longer or wait until the last minute and find there’s an issue you need to address, you will have to repeat the Cyber Essentials self-assessment to ensure your basics are still up to date.  

If any gaps or weaknesses are discovered during the CE+ audit, for example, a security patch you’ve missed on a sampled device, you will typically get a chance to fix them, time allowing. Your assessor will retest the issue to confirm that everything has been resolved before granting the Plus certification. 

Cyber Essentials Plus Cost 

Cyber Essentials Plus pricing isn’t fixed in the same way as the self-assessment, because it depends on the size and complexity of your network and the time required for an expert to test your systems. Organisations should expect a four figure sum for CE+ (get a quote). Despite the higher cost, many businesses consider it a worthwhile investment for the added customer assurance and competitive edge it brings. 

How Businesses Can Prepare for Cyber Essentials Audit  

Preparation Tips and Common Challenges 

• Review Your Systems in Advance: Ensure all operating systems and software are up to date before the audit 

• Test Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): If MFA is a requirement (as per the 2025 update), make sure it’s implemented across all required systems 

• Check Patch Management: The audit will verify that all critical patches have been applied within the last 14 days, so establish a consistent update policy 

• Limit Administrator Privileges: Ensure users only have the access they need; administrator accounts should be separate and restricted 

• Perform a Mock Audit: Conduct an internal check based on Cyber Essentials Plus criteria to identify and fix any weaknesses ahead of the assessment 

Common Challenges: 

Some businesses struggle with the certification process due to outdated software, incomplete documentation, or incorrect firewall configurations at the time of auditing. Address these in advance to ensure you have a smooth certification process. 

• Unsupported Operating Systems and Applications 

Running outdated or unsupported operating systems and applications is a common pitfall. These systems no longer receive security updates, leaving vulnerabilities exposed. To comply with Cyber Essentials requirements, ensure all software and operating systems are current and supported. This includes not only primary systems but also ancillary applications and devices.  

• Inadequate Patch Management 

Timely application of security patches is critical. Cyber Essentials mandates that high and critical security updates be installed within 14 days of release. Organisations often struggle with this due to lack of automated processes or oversight. Implementing a robust patch management strategy is essential to meet this requirement.  

• Misconfigured or Absent Firewalls 

Firewalls serve as a barrier against external threats. Common issues include misconfigurations or lack of firewall implementation on devices. Ensure that firewalls are properly configured to block unauthorised access and are active on all relevant devices.  

• Excessive Administrative Privileges 

Allowing users to operate with administrative privileges for daily tasks increases security risks. Cyber Essentials recommends that users have standard accounts for regular activities and use administrative accounts only when necessary. Establishing strict access controls minimizes the potential impact of security breaches.  

• Insufficient Malware Protection 

Effective malware protection is a cornerstone of cybersecurity. Organisations may have outdated or improperly configured anti-malware solutions, leaving them vulnerable. Regularly updating and configuring malware protection tools to perform scheduled scans is vital.  

• Lack of Employee Awareness and Training 

Human error remains a significant factor in security breaches. Without proper training, employees may inadvertently compromise security protocols. Implementing regular cybersecurity training programs ensures staff are aware of best practices and potential threats.  

• Resource Constraints 

Small businesses often face challenges in allocating sufficient resources—time, budget, or personnel—to address cybersecurity effectively. Prioritising cybersecurity initiatives and seeking external support when necessary, can help overcome these limitations.  

• Misunderstanding Certification Requirements 

Misinterpretation of Cyber Essentials requirements can lead to failed assessments. Engaging with experienced certification bodies or consultants can provide clarity and guidance throughout the process, ensuring all criteria are met. 

Ready to take the next step in safeguarding your organisation? Don’t wait for a breach to take action. Achieving Cyber Essentials certification can be straightforward with the right guidance. If you’re looking for expert support to guide you through the process or to conduct a Cyber Essentials Plus audit, we’re here to help.  

Get in touch with the DigitalXRAID team to get your Cyber Essentials journey started today. Choose the best certification for your needs and fortify your business against cyber threats – request a Cyber Essentials consultation.