Cyber Essentials certification serves as a valuable initial step for any organisation, regardless of its size or sector, seeking to safeguard against cyber threats and fortify the security of their internet-facing networks and devices.  The Government-backed scheme focuses on the implementation of 5 key technical control areas (firewalls, secure configuration, access control, patch management, and malware protection), which were selected both for the protection they provide organisations against common cyber threats, but also for the relative ease with which they can be implemented.  Nonetheless, several common challenges and obstacles frequently arise during organisations’ preparation for certification and the certification process itself.  

Cyber Essentials is a cyber security scheme which provides organsiations with a framework of fundamental technical security controls which will protect against common cyber attacks.  The Scheme, which is backed by the UK Government and owned by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), focuses on the implementation of 5 key technical control themes: firewalls, patch management, access control, malware prevention, and secure configuration.  When implemented effectively, these controls safeguard against 80% of the most common cyber attacks.  The Scheme offers two levels of certification – Cyber Essentials (CE), and Cyber Essentials Plus (CE+).