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Cyber Essentials

Cyber Essentials Certification and Consultancy for UK SMEs

Cyber Essentials logo

Cyber Essentials is a UK Government-backed certification scheme that helps organisations protect against common online threats through a defined set of technical controls. Max Cybersecurity provides Cyber Essentials consultancy and assessment support to help SMEs understand the requirements, prepare their systems and complete the certification process.

Almost half (43%) of all UK businesses suffered a cyber attack over the last year.

Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed certification that demonstrates that your organisation has implemented the essential security controls that protect against most common cyber threats. It is the minimum standard of security that the NCSC would advise every organisation to achieve.

Implementing just five key controls reduces risk, strengthens resilience, and gives stakeholders verified assurance that your organisation prioritises cyber security and meets recognised baseline standards.

Some organisations may be eligible for cyber liability insurance through the scheme, subject to current eligibility rules and policy terms. Check the current terms before relying on insurance as part of your risk planning.

Why it matters

  • • Protects against the most common internet-based threats
  • • Gives customers, partners and suppliers greater confidence in your security
  • • Helps meet supplier and procurement requirements
  • • Can support eligibility for cyber insurance and wider assurance programmes

How we work

  1. 1. Free readiness review and requirement guidance
  2. 2. Practical remediation and control improvements
  3. 3. IASME application and submission support
  4. 4. Ongoing advice to maintain compliance
  5. Our aim is not only to guide you through certification, but also to help you put practical controls in place.

Max Cybersecurity is an IASME Cyber Essentials and Cyber Assurance Certification Body. You can arrange your assessment through our team and get support with preparation and remediation.

Book a consultationView pricingTake the free readiness assessment
FAQs

Cyber Essentials — Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cyber Essentials?+
Cyber Essentials is a UK Government-backed certification scheme. It assesses whether an organisation has implemented baseline technical controls to help protect against common internet-based threats.
Who needs Cyber Essentials?+
It is available to organisations of different sizes. A client, contract, tender or supplier requirement may make certification necessary for your organisation. It can also provide a useful, structured baseline even when it is not contractually required.
How much does Cyber Essentials certification cost?+
The assessment fee depends on the size band of your organisation. Max Cybersecurity support is priced separately by service level and organisation size. Visit our pricing page for current starting prices and an estimate, then request a confirmed quote before proceeding.
What does the Cyber Essentials assessment involve?+
You define the organisation and systems in scope, answer questions about the required controls and submit the assessment for review by the certification body. The exact evidence and process depend on the current scheme requirements and your organisation's scope.
How long does Cyber Essentials take to get?+
The time required varies with your existing setup, the size of your organisation and how quickly you can resolve gaps. Once your systems and answers are ready, the assessment stage is usually much shorter than preparation. We can help you plan the work and next steps.
How do I prepare for Cyber Essentials?+
Start by defining the scope and listing the devices, users and cloud services it includes. Review the five control areas, assign owners to any gaps and gather accurate information before completing the assessment. Our free readiness assessment can help identify common areas to review.
Why do I need Cyber Essentials for a tender or contract?+
Many public sector contracts and increasingly private sector supply chains require Cyber Essentials as a minimum standard before you can bid or be onboarded as a supplier. If a client or tender has told you it's required, certification is usually a hard prerequisite rather than a nice-to-have.
Do I need any technical knowledge to get certified?+
No — that's what we're here for. We guide you through each requirement in plain language and handle the technical detail, whether you want full hands-on support or a lighter-touch advisory role.
What happens if I fail the assessment?+
If an assessment does not meet the requirements, review the assessor's feedback, address the identified issues and follow the current scheme process for resubmission. We can help you understand and prioritise remediation; any retake terms depend on the applicable assessment rules.
Do sole traders and small charities need Cyber Essentials too?+
Sole traders and charities can apply if they meet the scheme requirements. Whether certification is necessary depends on their clients, funders, contracts and risk priorities. We support small organisations that need clear guidance and have limited in-house security resource.
How often do I need to renew Cyber Essentials?+
Certification is valid for 12 months, after which you'll need to reassess to keep your certificate current — we can flag your renewal date in advance so you're never caught off guard by a tender deadline.
What is the difference between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus?+
Cyber Essentials is assessed through an online questionnaire reviewed by a certification body. Cyber Essentials Plus includes the same baseline controls and adds independent technical verification. Max Cybersecurity is not a Cyber Essentials Plus certification body, so we cannot carry out or certify Plus assessments. If your contract requires Plus, arrange it with a certification body that offers that assessment. Confirm the current scope and requirements before applying.
Why use a Cyber Essentials consultant?+
A Cyber Essentials consultant can help you understand the requirements, prepare accurate answers, identify gaps and plan remediation. Max Cybersecurity offers support levels ranging from assessment coordination to guided preparation and managed support.