Cyber threats are becoming more advanced, and businesses need to ensure they have effective defenses in place. The UK government-backed Cyber Essentials scheme is a popular starting point for organizations looking to improve their cybersecurity. But for companies that want a higher level of assurance, Cyber Essentials Plus is the next step. In this article, we’ll explain what Cyber Essentials Plus is, how it works, and how it differs from the basic Cyber Essentials certification.
What Is Cyber Essentials Plus?
Cyber Essentials Plus is an advanced level of cybersecurity certification that builds on the foundation of the basic Cyber Essentials scheme. While the basic version involves a self-assessment questionnaire, Cyber Essentials Plus requires a hands-on technical audit conducted by a qualified assessor. The goal of Cyber Essentials Plus is to verify that your organization has not only implemented the five core controls but that they are working effectively in a real-world environment.
These five controls include:
- Firewalls and internet gateways
- Secure configuration of devices and software
- User access control
- Malware protection
- Patch management to keep systems up to date
With Cyber Essentials Plus, an independent expert tests your systems against these controls to ensure they are properly enforced and effective in protecting your organization from common cyber attacks.
Key Differences Between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus
The main difference between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus lies in the level of validation. The basic Cyber Essentials certification relies on self-assessment, meaning you answer a questionnaire that is reviewed by a certification body. This level is suitable for small businesses or those starting out with cybersecurity.
In contrast, Cyber Essentials Plus requires a thorough technical audit. An external assessor will:
- Perform vulnerability scans on your internal and external systems
- Test sample devices for malware protection, configuration settings, and patch status
- Verify the effectiveness of firewalls and access controls
- Assess email and browser protections
- Simulate common cyber attack techniques
This testing provides a much higher level of assurance, making Cyber Essentials Plus ideal for organizations that handle sensitive data, work with government contracts, or are in high-risk industries like finance, healthcare, or legal services.
Why Choose Cyber Essentials Plus?
There are several reasons why businesses opt for Cyber Essentials Plus:
- Stronger assurance: The technical assessment confirms that security controls are correctly implemented and actively working.
- Improved credibility: Clients and stakeholders often prefer suppliers who hold Cyber Essentials Plus certification.
- Compliance support: For many government contracts and regulatory frameworks, Cyber Essentials Plus is either required or strongly recommended.
- Better risk management: The audit process helps identify weaknesses that may have been overlooked during a self-assessment.
- Potential insurance benefits: Many cyber insurance providers offer better terms to organizations with Cyber Essentials Plus certification.
Getting Certified: What to Expect
Before applying for Cyber Essentials Plus, your business must first achieve the basic Cyber Essentials certification. Once that’s complete, you can engage an IASME-approved certification body to carry out the Cyber Essentials Plus audit.
The process usually involves scoping your IT environment, preparing for the assessment, completing pre-audit checks, and then hosting an on-site or remote technical audit. If all systems meet the criteria, your business receives Cyber Essentials Plus certification, valid for 12 months.
In conclusion, Cyber Essentials Plus is a robust cybersecurity certification that provides verified assurance that your business is protected against common cyber threats. Unlike the self-assessed basic level, Cyber Essentials Plus includes a technical audit to ensure your security controls are properly implemented and effective. For organizations looking to build trust, meet contract requirements, and strengthen their cybersecurity posture, Cyber Essentials Plus offers a comprehensive and credible solution that goes beyond the basics.
