Cyber Essentials

 The cost of Cyber Essentials certification depends on the size of your organisation and is set nationally. For most small and medium‑sized businesses, it typically costs a few hundred pounds plus VAT. 

 If you already meet the requirements, Cyber Essentials can be completed quickly, often within a few days. As one of the few IASME‑accredited certification bodies in the North East, we can assess and support you directly, removing the need for a third‑party auditor and helping to speed up turnaround times. 

 Cyber Essentials is based on a verified self‑assessment, while Cyber Essentials Plus includes additional hands‑on testing to confirm your security controls work in practice. Both cover the same requirements, but Plus provides a higher level of assurance. 

 If you don’t pass, you’ll be told which areas need improvement and are usually given the chance to fix them and resubmit. Most issues are straightforward to resolve and our team are well positioned to support you through the assessment.  

 Yes. Many organisations choose to carry out a readiness check or gap analysis before submitting their assessment. This helps identify what needs fixing and reduces the risk of failing first time. 

 No. Cyber Essentials is designed to be achievable for organisations without an in‑house IT team. Many businesses complete it with external support or guidance from an IT partner.