Cyber attacks aren’t just a big-business problem. According to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), 38% of UK small businesses experienced a cyber incident last year, many without realising their defences were vulnerable until it was too late.
Cyber Essentials offers a simple and cost-effective way to reduce that risk. It’s a government-backed certification that proves you’re doing the right things to protect your organisation from the most common types of online threat.
What is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a UK Government scheme designed to help businesses strengthen their cybersecurity. It focuses on five practical technical controls that, when applied correctly, can protect against around 80% of common cyber attacks.
The five key areas are:
1. Firewalls - Protecting your internet connection from unwanted access.
2. Secure configuration - Ensuring devices and software are set up safely.
3. User access control - Giving users only the access they need.
4. Malware protection - Keeping viruses and malicious software out.
5. Patch management - Keeping systems and software up to date.
Think of Cyber Essentials as a digital MOT for your business, a structured way to check your systems are secure, compliant, and running as they should.
What do you gain by being Cyber Essentials certified?
Achieving certification brings both practical and commercial benefits. It shows that your organisation takes data protection seriously, and that can make a real difference to your reputation and opportunities.
Benefits include:
• Reduced cyber risk - Protection against common threats like phishing, malware, and ransomware, and potential savings on business insurance through Cyber Essentials certification.
• Increased customer trust - Reassures clients and partners that you handle data responsibly.
• Eligibility for contracts - Required for many UK government tenders but increasingly recognised in supply chains that could affect SMB’s.
• Peace of mind - Confidence that you’re taking proactive steps to secure your business.
Cyber Essentials certification isn’t just a badge, it’s a signal to customers and employees alike that cybersecurity is part of how you do business.
Why it keeps you on your toes
Cybersecurity isn’t static, it evolves as new threats emerge. One of the advantages of Cyber Essentials is that certification must be renewed annually, encouraging regular reviews of your security setup.
This keeps your business alert and proactive, checking that passwords, updates, and user permissions remain secure and that good practices become part of everyday operations.
In other words, Cyber Essentials turns cybersecurity from a one-off project into an ongoing habit.
Good practice, built into a system
The strength of Cyber Essentials lies in its simplicity. It translates good cybersecurity practice into a repeatable, auditable framework, ideal for smaller businesses who want structure without complexity.
By working through the five key controls, you’re effectively building a stronger IT foundation. Even before certification, many businesses see immediate improvements in performance, data management, and staff awareness.
Is Cyber Essentials right for your business?
Absolutely. Cyber Essentials is designed for small and medium-sized organisations, especially those without a full-time IT team.
Professional services firm, manufacturer, or retailer, it’s a practical and affordable way to protect your data, reduce downtime, and show customers you care about security.
We help local businesses across Wiltshire and Gloucestershire prepare for certification and put the right systems in place to stay secure year-round.
What do you need to do to become certified?
The process is straightforward, especially with the right preparation. Here’s how it typically works:
1. Review your current setup - Identify potential weaknesses, such as out-of-date software, weak passwords, or open access controls.
2. Fix and update - Apply updates, tighten permissions, and ensure devices are configured securely.
3. Complete your self-assessment - A qualified external body will review your submission and grant certification once standards are met.
4. Maintain your standards - Review your setup regularly and renew your certification annually.
Larger organisations can also opt for Cyber Essentials Plus, which includes additional hands-on verification, but for most small and medium businesses, Cyber Essentials certification is the perfect fit.
How we can help
We make the process easy. Our team helps you prepare for certification by getting your systems in shape and ensuring all the key requirements are in place.
We can offer you:
• Conduct a cyber readiness review to identify gaps.
• Implement the five Cyber Essentials controls across your devices and systems.
• Manage ongoing updates, patching, and malware protection through Managed IT Support.
• Provide advice and documentation to simplify your certification process.
With our support, you can focus on running your business while we take care of the technical groundwork.
Staying cyber secure year-round
Cyber Essentials certification is renewed every year, which means regular system reviews and updates become part of your business rhythm.
This helps embed cybersecurity into your company culture, not just protecting your assets, but strengthening your overall resilience. It’s a small investment that pays off in peace of mind, continuity, and trust.
FAQs
Q: How long does certification take?
Typically around 2–3 weeks, depending on how ready your systems are.
Q: Do I need an internal IT team?
No. Many small businesses work with partners like SupportWise to get everything in place before applying.
Q: What does certification cost?
Cyber Essentials certification usually starts from around £300 for small organisations.
Ready to get started?
Cyber Essentials is one of the simplest, most cost-effective ways to protect your business, strengthen client trust, and improve your cyber resilience.
If you’re unsure where to start, we can help you prepare, assess your readiness, and put practical solutions in place to make certification simple.
Get in touch with our team today to begin your Cyber Essentials journey.