Cyber Essentials Plus Certification Process Simplified
As cyber threats continue to evolve, businesses must take proactive steps to protect their systems and data. One of the most effective ways to prove your security posture is by achieving Cyber Essentials Plus certification. While it may sound complex, the Cyber Essentials Plus certification process is more straightforward than you might think. This guide simplifies every step so your organisation can approach Cyber Essentials Plus with confidence.
What Is Cyber Essentials Plus?
Cyber Essentials Plus is the more advanced level of the UK government’s Cyber Essentials scheme. Unlike the standard Cyber Essentials, which involves a self-assessment, Cyber Essentials Plus includes a hands-on technical audit by a certified body. It verifies that your systems meet the five core security controls in a real-world environment, offering higher assurance to clients, partners, and regulators.
Why Choose Cyber Essentials Plus?
Achieving Cyber Essentials Plus gives your organisation several advantages:
- Stronger protection against cyber threats.
- Compliance with government and industry requirements.
- Increased trust and credibility with clients.
- Eligibility for public sector contracts.
For businesses handling sensitive data or operating in regulated sectors, Cyber Essentials Plus is often essential—not just recommended.
Step 1: Achieve Cyber Essentials Certification
Before applying for Cyber Essentials Plus, your organisation must first pass the basic Cyber Essentials self-assessment. This ensures you already meet the five security controls:
- Boundary firewalls and internet gateways
- Secure configuration
- User access control
- Malware protection
- Patch management
This foundational step is mandatory before proceeding to Cyber Essentials Plus.
Step 2: Prepare for the Technical Audit
After passing Cyber Essentials, the next step in the Cyber Essentials Plus process is preparing for the technical assessment. Preparation is key:
- Ensure all systems are patched and updated.
- Confirm that anti-malware tools are active on all devices.
- Review user accounts to ensure proper access controls.
- Verify that secure configurations are applied across devices.
Many organisations conduct an internal mock audit before scheduling the real Cyber Essentials Plus assessment to identify and fix any issues.
Step 3: Engage a Certification Body
Choose an accredited certification body to perform your Cyber Essentials Plus assessment. These auditors will carry out a range of checks, including:
- Internal vulnerability scans
- User access tests
- Email and browser-based threat simulations
- Review of endpoint devices and firewall settings
The assessment usually takes one day, depending on the size and complexity of your network.
Step 4: Remediate Any Issues
If the assessor finds vulnerabilities or non-compliance during the audit, you’ll be given a short window (typically 30 days) to fix the problems and undergo a retest. Many businesses don’t pass Cyber Essentials Plus on the first attempt, but the process allows for corrections and improvements.
Step 5: Achieve Certification
Once all issues are resolved and your systems meet the requirements, your business will be awarded the Cyber Essentials Plus certificate. This certificate is valid for 12 months and demonstrates that your organisation has robust, verified cybersecurity protections in place.
Step 6: Maintain and Renew
Cyber Essentials Plus is not a one-time effort. To maintain certification, your business must remain compliant year-round and recertify annually. Best practices include:
- Ongoing employee training
- Regular vulnerability scanning
- Patch management automation
- Policy reviews and audits
Maintaining these standards ensures your next Cyber Essentials Plus audit will be smooth.
Final Thoughts
The Cyber Essentials Plus certification process may involve more scrutiny than the basic level, but it’s a clear, structured journey with lasting benefits. From achieving your initial Cyber Essentials certificate to completing the hands-on audit, each step builds stronger security for your business. With proper preparation, attention to detail, and a trusted certification partner, the Cyber Essentials Plus process becomes not just achievable—but a vital investment in your organisation’s resilience and reputation.
