What Is Cyber Essentials, and What’s the Difference Between Cyber Essentials Plus?
Cybersecurity is no longer optional for UK businesses. Every day, small and medium-sized organisations face phishing attacks, data breaches, and ransomware attempts, and many don’t realise they’ve been targeted until it’s too late.
That’s where Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus come in.
These government-backed certifications help businesses protect themselves from the most common cyber threats, and demonstrate to customers, insurers, and partners that they take data protection seriously.
What Is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a UK government cybersecurity certification developed by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
It focuses on the five key technical controls that, when implemented properly, can protect your organisation against around 80% of the most common cyberattacks.
The Five Key Cyber Essentials Controls
Firewalls & Internet Gateways – Secure your internet connection and control incoming and outgoing traffic.
Secure Configuration – Ensure all devices and systems are set up safely and not using default settings.
User Access Control – Limit access to only what users need to do their jobs.
Malware Protection – Use and update antivirus and endpoint protection.
Security Update Management (Patching) – Keep all devices, operating systems, and software up to date.
Once certified, your business receives a Cyber Essentials badge, which shows clients and suppliers that you have fundamental cybersecurity measures in place. It’s often the first step toward building a robust security framework.
What Is Cyber Essentials Plus?
Cyber Essentials Plus is the next level up from Cyber Essentials, and it goes a step further by including an independent, hands-on technical audit of your systems.
While Cyber Essentials is a self-assessment, Cyber Essentials Plus is verified by a certified auditor, giving you (and your clients) complete confidence that your defences actually work.
What’s Tested During Cyber Essentials Plus
Endpoint devices such as laptops, PCs, and mobile phones
Firewalls and internet gateways
User account security and access controls
Malware and antivirus protection
Patch management and update processes
In short:
- Cyber Essentials shows you have protection.
- Cyber Essentials Plus proves it works.
It’s becoming increasingly common for larger organisations, public sector contracts, and cyber insurers to require Cyber Essentials Plus certification as standard.
Why Cyber Essentials Certification Matters
Achieving Cyber Essentials certification is about more than compliance — it’s about confidence and resilience.
It helps your business:
Demonstrate credibility and trustworthiness to customers, suppliers, and regulators.
Qualify for government and corporate tenders that require certification.
Strengthen your defences against common cyber threats.
Potentially reduce cyber insurance premiums.
Build a stronger cybersecurity culture across your team.
Even if your business doesn’t need certification for compliance reasons, implementing the five key controls is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce your risk of cyber incidents.
How Sunrise Technologies Helps You Get Certified
At Sunrise Technologies, we guide UK businesses through every step of achieving and maintaining Cyber Essentialsand Cyber Essentials Plus certification.
Our experts can:
Help you complete your self-assessment for Cyber Essentials
Identify and fix any vulnerabilities before submission
Coordinate your independent Cyber Essentials Plus audit
Continuously monitor your systems to maintain compliance
Integrate Cyber Essentials into a broader cybersecurity and IT strategy
We don’t just help you pass, we help you stay protected, long after the paperwork is complete.
Ready to Get Certified?
If you’re considering Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus, our team can help you assess where you stand and what’s needed to achieve certification.
Book a free cybersecurity consultation or request a callback today to get started.