If you’ve been meaning to get Cyber Essentials and keep putting it off, now is the time to act.
The government has launched the Cyber Essentials First Step Fund. It gives small and medium sized organisations a 75% discount on their first Cyber Essentials certificate. See the news release.
That’s three quarters of the cost, paid for you. For a limited time only.
Here’s everything you need to know, in plain English.
What is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a government backed scheme that proves your business has the basic protections in place against the most common cyber attacks.
It checks five controls:
- Firewalls: A security filter between the internet and your network.
- Secure configuration: Computers and devices set up to close the doors criminals use to get in.
- Security update management: Software kept up to date so known weaknesses get fixed.
- User access control: Only the right people can reach your data, with the right level of access.
- Malware protection: Malicious software is stopped before it does damage.
More and more customers, suppliers and insurers are asking for it. Some contracts won’t even let you bid without it.
What does the new fund pay for?
The fund covers 75% of the cost of your Cyber Essentials assessment and, if you pass, your certification.
The funding doesn’t guarantee you’ll be certified. If your systems aren’t up to standard when you’re assessed, you’ll need to fix them first.
Who can get it?
Micro, small and medium sized organisations in the UK that want their first Cyber Essentials certificate. This fund is not valid if you are renewing an existing certificate (although if your Cyber Essentials certificate expired more than 4 years ago, you may still be eligible).
There’s also a separate scheme for suppliers of large organisations that have signed the government’s Cyber Resilience Pledge. If one of your big customers has signed it, they can nominate you for fully funded certification plus support from a cyber advisor. Ask them.
How much will it cost?
With the discount from this fund, gaining your first Cyber Essentials certificate could cost between £80+VAT and £125+VAT.
You may also need to pay an IT company like us to help you meet the required standards.
How long have you got?
The First Step Fund runs until the end of March 2027, or until the money runs out. There’s a limited pot, and once it’s gone, it’s gone. If you want the discount, act now.
How to make sure you pass first time
This is where many businesses get caught out. They apply, get assessed, and discover their computers are missing updates or someone still has admin access they shouldn’t have.
We’ll stop that happening to you. We’ll check your systems against all five controls, fix anything that would fail, and take you through the whole certification process. You get the 75% discount and the certificate, without the stress.
Book your free readiness check
Book a 15 minute call with us and we’ll tell you exactly where you stand today, and what it takes to get you certified before the fund runs out.
