The UK Government has announced a new funding scheme offering eligible small and medium-sized businesses 75% off Cyber Essentials certification. With limited funding available, now could be the ideal time to take the next step towards protecting your business.
Protecting sensitive information and maintaining customer confidence to meeting supplier requirements and avoiding costly disruption, businesses are increasingly expected to demonstrate that they take cybersecurity seriously.
Yet many organisations still operate without independently assessed baseline security measures, leaving themselves exposed to threats that could potentially have been prevented.
On 3 November 2026, the UK Government announced the Cyber Essentials First Step Fund, a £2.4 million initiative designed to help thousands of UK businesses improve their cybersecurity by reducing the cost of certification.
For eligible businesses, the scheme provides a 75% discount on Cyber Essentials certification fees, reducing the cost to as little as £80 plus VAT.
But what exactly is Cyber Essentials, why should your business consider certification, and how can Sunrise Technologies help?
What is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a UK Government-backed cybersecurity certification scheme, developed with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), designed to help organisations protect themselves against common internet-based cyber threats.
It provides a recognised baseline for cybersecurity, helping businesses demonstrate that they have essential technical protections in place.
The scheme focuses on five fundamental security controls:
Firewalls
Helping protect your business network and devices from unauthorised access.
Secure configuration
Ensuring devices and systems are configured securely, reducing unnecessary vulnerabilities that cybercriminals could exploit.
Security update management
Keeping operating systems, applications and other software updated to address known security weaknesses.
User access control
Ensuring employees have appropriate access to the information and systems they need, while restricting unnecessary permissions.
Malware protection
Implementing measures designed to protect devices and systems against malicious software.
Together, these controls help businesses address many of the common weaknesses cybercriminals look to exploit.
Cyber Essentials isn't a guarantee that an organisation will never experience a cyberattack. However, it provides a structured and recognised starting point for improving cybersecurity.
What is the Cyber Essentials First Step Fund?
The Cyber Essentials First Step Fund is a new government initiative designed to make cybersecurity certification more affordable for UK businesses.
The government has allocated £2.4 million to support eligible organisations, with funding expected to benefit approximately 6,000 businesses.
Under the scheme, qualifying organisations can receive a 75% discount on the standard Cyber Essentials assessment and submission fee.
0–9 employees
10–49 employees
50–249 employees
All prices exclude VAT. Discounted prices apply to eligible organisations while funding remains available. Prices cover certification fees only, not any additional preparation or IT support.
Who is eligible?
To qualify for the Cyber Essentials First Step Fund, businesses must meet the scheme's eligibility requirements, including:
Being a UK-registered micro, small or medium-sized organisation with fewer than 250 employees.
Not having held Cyber Essentials certification within the previous four years.
Meeting the scheme's applicable funding and subsidy conditions.
Applying while funding remains available.
The scheme runs until 31 March 2027, or until the funding is exhausted, whichever comes first.
Funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so businesses considering certification should avoid leaving their application until the deadline.
Applications are available through the official IASME First Step Fund website.
Why is now the time to consider Cyber Essentials?
The reduced certification fee is an obvious incentive, but the benefits of Cyber Essentials extend well beyond the initial saving.
Cyber threats aren't limited to large businesses
One of the biggest misconceptions about cybersecurity is that smaller businesses are less attractive targets.
In reality, cybercriminals can exploit vulnerabilities in organisations of any size.
A small business may not have the same resources as a large corporation, but it can still hold valuable information, depend on critical digital systems and have access to customers or suppliers.
An attack doesn't need to be particularly sophisticated to cause significant disruption.
Weak passwords, outdated software, excessive user permissions and poorly configured systems can all create opportunities for cybercriminals.
Cyber Essentials helps businesses establish essential protections against these common risks.
Your customers may increasingly expect certification
Cybersecurity is becoming an important part of supplier selection.
Larger organisations, public-sector bodies and businesses operating within regulated supply chains increasingly want reassurance that their suppliers can protect information and maintain appropriate security standards.
In some cases, Cyber Essentials certification is already a contractual requirement.
For businesses hoping to secure new contracts, particularly within government supply chains, certification can help demonstrate that fundamental cybersecurity measures are in place.
Without it, your organisation could find itself unable to meet certain procurement requirements, regardless of the quality of its products or services.
It's an opportunity to address existing weaknesses
For many organisations, the certification process reveals areas of IT security that haven't previously received sufficient attention.
These might include unsupported software, inconsistent security settings, unnecessary administrative privileges or devices that aren't receiving appropriate updates.
Addressing these issues isn't simply about passing an assessment.
It's about making meaningful improvements to the way your business protects its systems and information.
And with the government now reducing the certification fee, eligible businesses have an opportunity to make those improvements while benefiting from a lower assessment cost.
What are the risks of not having Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is not a legal requirement for every UK business, and not holding certification doesn't automatically mean your organisation is insecure.
However, operating without the protections it assesses can expose your business to avoidable risks.
Increased exposure to common cyberattacks
Many cyber incidents exploit known vulnerabilities or weaknesses in basic security controls.
Without effective patch management, access controls and malware protection, businesses may be leaving opportunities for attackers to exploit.
Financial and operational disruption
A cybersecurity incident can affect far more than your IT systems.
Employees may be unable to work, customers may experience service interruptions, and the business may face recovery costs or lost revenue.
While the financial impact varies considerably, a serious cyber incident can create consequences well beyond the initial technical problem.
Lost business opportunities
If a prospective customer requires Cyber Essentials certification, not having it could prevent your business from qualifying for a contract.
This is particularly relevant for organisations supplying larger companies, public-sector bodies or businesses with strict procurement and cybersecurity requirements.
Reduced customer confidence
Customers want to know that the organisations they work with take the protection of information seriously.
Cyber Essentials provides recognised evidence that a business has implemented baseline security controls.
Without certification, businesses may need to provide alternative assurances when customers ask about their cybersecurity arrangements.
Uncertainty about your existing security
Perhaps one of the biggest risks is simply not knowing whether your current protections are sufficient.
Your business may have antivirus software, a firewall and IT support, but are those protections configured correctly? Are all devices covered? Are security updates being applied consistently?
Cyber Essentials provides a structured framework for answering these questions.
What are the benefits of Cyber Essentials certification?
Achieving Cyber Essentials offers several practical and commercial benefits.
Improved cybersecurity
The certification process encourages businesses to implement essential protections against common cyber threats.
Greater customer confidence
Certification demonstrates that your organisation has met a recognised UK cybersecurity baseline.
Access to more business opportunities
Cyber Essentials can help businesses satisfy security requirements in procurement processes and supplier questionnaires.
A clearer understanding of your IT security
Preparing for certification can highlight weaknesses and provide a structured approach to addressing them.
Potential cyber insurance benefits
Eligible UK organisations with turnover below £20 million that achieve whole-organisation certification may receive cyber liability insurance arranged through IASME, subject to the scheme's terms and eligibility requirements.
A foundation for further cybersecurity improvements
Cyber Essentials can provide a starting point for organisations considering additional security measures or more advanced certifications, including Cyber Essentials Plus.
Does the government funding cover everything?
It's important to understand exactly what the First Step Fund provides.
The 75% discount applies to the Cyber Essentials assessment and certification fee.
It does not automatically cover the cost of preparing your business for certification or implementing any technical improvements needed to meet the requirements.
For example, if your organisation is using unsupported software, has incorrectly configured security settings or lacks appropriate access controls, these issues may need to be addressed before you can successfully certify.
Similarly, the funding does not guarantee certification. Your business must still meet the scheme's requirements.
This is where having an experienced IT partner can make a difference.
How Sunrise Technologies can help your business achieve Cyber Essentials
At Sunrise Technologies, we understand that cybersecurity certification can feel complicated, particularly for businesses without a dedicated internal IT department.
It's not always easy to know which requirements apply, whether your existing systems meet the standard or what changes need to be made.
Our role is to help make that process clearer and more manageable.
Understanding your current position
Before beginning the certification process, it's important to understand how your existing IT environment compares with the Cyber Essentials requirements.
We can help review your current arrangements, identify potential weaknesses and establish which areas may need attention.
This gives your business a clearer understanding of the work involved before submitting an assessment.
Preparing your business for certification
Where improvements are required, our team can help you plan and implement appropriate changes.
This might include reviewing firewall configurations, improving access controls, addressing unsupported software, strengthening malware protection or ensuring devices are receiving necessary security updates.
Our focus is on helping you put effective protections in place, not simply completing paperwork.
Supporting the assessment process
The Cyber Essentials assessment involves answering questions about your organisation's IT systems and security controls.
For businesses unfamiliar with the requirements, some questions can be technical or difficult to interpret.
Sunrise can help you understand the information required, prepare your responses and work through the technical considerations involved.
The formal assessment and certification decision remains with an authorised Cyber Essentials Certification Body.
Looking beyond certification
Achieving Cyber Essentials is an important milestone, but cybersecurity doesn't stop when your certificate arrives.
Technology changes, new threats emerge and businesses evolve.
Cyber Essentials certification is valid for 12 months, meaning organisations need to renew annually to maintain their certified status.
Through our managed IT and cybersecurity services, Sunrise can help businesses maintain appropriate security practices, review their evolving risks and plan for future improvements.
Because effective cybersecurity should be an ongoing part of running your business, not a once-a-year exercise.
How do you apply for the 75% discount?
Eligible businesses can apply for the Cyber Essentials First Step Fund through IASME, the NCSC's official Cyber Essentials delivery partner.
The process involves:
Checking your organisation meets the eligibility criteria.
Registering through the official First Step Fund application portal.
Purchasing the discounted Cyber Essentials assessment while funding remains available.
Preparing your organisation and completing the assessment.
Receiving certification if your assessment successfully meets the requirements.
Businesses have up to six months after purchasing their assessment to complete the process, subject to IASME's terms.
If you're unsure whether your current IT environment meets the requirements, speaking to an experienced IT provider before beginning can help you understand what may be involved.
Don't wait until cybersecurity becomes a problem
Cybersecurity is one of those areas where the consequences of doing nothing may not become obvious until something goes wrong.
But the impact of a cyber incident, a failed supplier security questionnaire or an unexpected compliance requirement can be significant.
Cyber Essentials gives businesses a recognised framework for improving their protection, demonstrating their commitment to cybersecurity and preparing for future opportunities.
And with the government now offering a 75% discount to eligible businesses, the initial certification cost is considerably lower.
The funding is limited. The cybersecurity risks aren't.
If your business has been considering Cyber Essentials, now is an opportunity to act.
Ready to take the first step?
Sunrise Technologies helps businesses across Essex, East London and beyond understand their cybersecurity risks, improve their IT security and prepare for Cyber Essentials certification.
Whether you're starting from scratch, unsure if your existing systems meet the requirements or need practical support preparing for an assessment, our team can help.
Let's find out where your business stands and what it needs to become Cyber Essentials ready.
