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Cyber Essentials is a security framework and accreditation program launched by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre. It’s a government-backed scheme that helps organizations improve their security posture and protect themselves from common cybersecurity threats, such as malware, phishing attacks, or insider threats.

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The framework is rooted in UK regulations, but its scope extends beyond the country and encompasses organizations across different industries. This guide will help you determine whether the Cyber Essentials certification could benefit you by covering:

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Who needs to implement the Cyber Essentials framework
How it benefits organizations that achieve compliance
What the certification process looks like
How to obtain Cyber Essentials certification

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Who should obtain Cyber Essentials certification?

Any organization lacking extensive cybersecurity controls that wants to enhance its security posture should implement Cyber Essentials. Doing so is voluntary, meaning no organization explicitly needs Cyber Essentials certification to meet regulatory obligations, even though the framework is backed by the UK government.

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The only exception is when your organization is based in the UK and wants to bid on government contracts. In this case, you’ll most likely need to hold a certificate to qualify for the contract, as most require the CE certification as a prerequisite.

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Like other industry-accepted security frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST CSF, etc.), Cyber Essentials is agnostic to an organization’s industry or location, meaning you can adopt the framework no matter where your organization is located.

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{{cta_withimage23="/cta-modules"}} | Cyber Essentials Checklist

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Benefits of Cyber Essentials certification

An enhanced cybersecurity standing is the main advantage of Cyber Essentials, but it’s far from the only one. Other notable benefits include:

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Protection from common and emerging cybersecurity threats: Cyber Essentials is continuously updated to reflect the changes in the security landscape and account for new threats. Obtaining and regularly renewing your certificate protects your organization from ever-evolving security concerns.
Increased trust and transparency: Cyber Essentials certification helps demonstrate your security posture to customers, investors, and other stakeholders, increasing transparency.
Improved security assurance: Cyber Essentials certification requires a thorough security review that lets you fully understand your security posture. It also involves implementing various measures, such as access controls, malware protection, and patch management, that increase your confidence in the applied controls.
Cost-effectiveness: Cyber Essentials is a cost-effective framework, making it an appealing option for budget-conscious organizations that still want solid security controls. The cost mainly depends on your organization’s size and the chosen certification level.
Competitive advantage: Besides being a key differentiator in public tenders, Cyber Essentials certification shortens vendor security reviews and speeds up deal cycles. It lets your organization showcase its security controls faster than organizations without a certificate, unlocking new deal opportunities.

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Cyber Essentials certification process

The Cyber Essentials certification process mainly depends on your chosen assessment level, explained in the following table:

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Certification level	Certification process
Cyber Essentials	You need to conduct a self-assessment using the official Cyber Essentials Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) , which a senior board member must sign off.
Cyber Essentials Plus	Besides the self-assessment, you’ll undergo an independent audit performed by an IASME-authorized Certification Body that will validate the responses.

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The base-level certificate is a prerequisite for Cyber Essentials Plus certification. After obtaining it, you can apply for the higher tier within three months and undergo the third-party audit to become certified.

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Regardless of your selected certification level, your organization must comply with 40+ Cyber Essentials controls split into five areas:

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Firewalls and Internet gateways: Covers the requirements your boundary and/or software firewalls must meet to ensure secure access to online services
Secure configuration: Prescribes technical and procedural controls for configuring hardware and software securely through strong passwords, removal of unnecessary software, and similar controls
User access management: Defines controls to prevent unauthorized access to user accounts and restricts information access to what is necessary for users to perform their roles effectively
Malware protection: Requires the implementation of sufficient technical controls that prevent malware from reaching and being executed on your devices
Security update management: Outlines the requirements for using software that receives regular updates and ensures security patches are installed promptly

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{{cta_withimage22="/cta-modules"}} | The Audit Ready Checklist

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How to get Cyber Essentials certification

While the specific steps to obtaining Cyber Essentials certification largely depend on your current security posture, these are the high-level steps you’ll need to follow:

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Scope the assessment: You can include your entire IT infrastructure in the Cyber Essentials assessment or outline a specific segment you’ll exclude from it. If possible, it might be better to do the former because it provides higher assurance levels and may make you eligible for cyber liability insurance.
Perform a security review: After scoping the assessment, conduct a security review to assess your current cybersecurity posture. These activities may include policy reviews, vulnerability scans, and penetration tests. Preparing thoroughly ensures all controls are in place and simplifies the Cyber Essentials Plus audit if pursued.
Perform a gap analysis: You can download the Cyber Essentials SAQ for free from the IASME website and use it to complete a gap assessment against the framework’s controls. Your gap remediation strategy will mainly depend on the current state of your controls and overall security program maturity.
Complete the self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ): Go through the SAQ and answer the questions as accurately as possible. Many questions are open-ended and require a close look at the corresponding element of your security posture, so document control implementation to avoid extensive back-and-forth.
Submit the questionnaire: Once you’ve completed the SAQ, you can apply for the Cyber Essentials certification through IASME’s online portal. If you’re pursuing Cyber Essentials Plus certification, submit the questionnaire to a Certification Body for a third-party audit.

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Even if you only plan on obtaining the base-level certificate, you’ll need to perform the following security and compliance-related tasks throughout the process:

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Security policy reviews
Technical checks (penetration tests, vulnerability scans, etc.)
Evidence collection

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Many of these activities can be automated with a capable software solution like Vanta, saving you time and resources by streamlining tasks required for obtaining the certification.

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{{cta_withimage23="/cta-modules"}} | Cyber Essentials Checklist

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Achieve Cyber Essentials certification effortlessly with Vanta

Vanta is a trust management platform that automates up to 70% of Cyber Essentials workflows, reducing preparation time and minimizing the risk of compliance gaps that could hinder certification.

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Your organization likely already has some security measures aligned with Cyber Essentials, and Vanta automatically maps them to reduce redundant reviews. It also highlights control overlaps with other cybersecurity frameworks you follow, which can help your team pursue Cyber Essentials certification with minimal duplicative work.

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The platform does this through its robust Cyber Essentials product, which includes features, such as:

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Automated evidence collection: Vanta seamlessly integrates with over 375 platforms, offering automated hourly tests with real-time alerts, pre-built and custom controls, as well as evidence collection to improve workflow efficiency
Centralized control documentation: All your security documentation is kept in a unified hub that replaces inefficient, disparate systems like spreadsheets and email chains
Convenient policy builder: Vanta allows you to create and manage policies more easily with customizable templates and tools to track employee acceptance

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These features allow you to obtain Cyber Essentials certification faster and with fewer resources. Your team will receive expert guidance throughout the certification process, helping it avoid guesswork and streamline certification.

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Schedule a custom demo for a hands-on overview of Vanta’s Cyber Essentials product.

{{cta_simple32="/cta-modules"}} | Cyber Essentials product page

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A note from Vanta: Vanta is not a law firm, and this article does not constitute or contain legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. When determining your obligations and compliance with respect to relevant laws and regulations, you should consult a licensed attorney.

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Introduction to Cyber Essentials

Who needs Cyber Essentials certification?