What is Cyber Essentials and Why UK Businesses Need It in 2025

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24 September 2025

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What is Cyber Essentials and Why UK Businesses Need It in 2025

Learn what Cyber Essentials is, the difference between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus, and why UK businesses should get certified in 2025.

Introduction

Cybercrime is one of the biggest risks facing UK businesses in 2025. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) regularly warns that cyber attacks are growing in both scale and sophistication. From ransomware shutting down operations to phishing emails stealing sensitive client data, the threats are real and costly.

Protecting your business doesn’t always mean expensive technology or a team of cybersecurity experts. The Cyber Essentials certification scheme, backed by the UK government, provides a straightforward, affordable framework that any organisation can follow.

In this blog, we’ll explain exactly what Cyber Essentials is, why it’s so important in 2025, how the certification process works, and how businesses like yours can benefit.

What is Cyber Essentials Certification?

Cyber Essentials is a UK government–backed scheme created to help organisations defend against the most common forms of cyber attack.

The scheme focuses on five vital but straightforward controls that protect your business from everyday threats such as malware, ransomware, and unauthorised access.

There are two levels of certification:

Cyber Essentials – This is the entry-level option, achieved through a self-assessment questionnaire. It’s designed for organisations that want to demonstrate they have the basics covered.
Cyber Essentials Plus – This includes everything in the basic certification, but with an added level of assurance. An independent assessor carries out hands-on technical tests to verify your systems are secure.

By gaining certification, businesses show customers, partners, and suppliers that they are serious about cybersecurity and capable of safeguarding sensitive data.

Why Cyber Essentials Matters in 2025

The online risks facing UK organisations today are very different from those of even five years ago. Here are some reasons why Cyber Essentials is so critical in 2025:

A rising tide of attacks
Cybercriminals often go for the lowest-hanging fruit, outdated systems, weak passwords, and unpatched software. Cyber Essentials ensures these weaknesses are addressed.
Supply chain requirements More contracts now include a requirement for Cyber Essentials certification. If you want to work with government departments or many large private companies, certification is no longer optional.
Protecting customer trust
In a digital-first world, customers want reassurance that their data is safe. Certification provides visible proof that your organisation values security.
Financial savings
The average cost of a data breach for an SME in the UK can run into tens of thousands of pounds. Certification reduces this risk and can also lower cyber insurance premiums.
Regulatory compliance
While Cyber Essentials itself is voluntary, it supports compliance with regulations such as GDPR by showing you’ve taken steps to protect personal data.

The Five Core Cyber Essentials Controls

To become certified, your organisation must demonstrate that it has implemented these five measures:

Firewalls and internet gateways – Secure your network and block unauthorised access.
Secure configuration – Ensure devices and applications are set up in a safe way and unnecessary functions are disabled.
User access control – Restrict access so only authorised staff can reach sensitive information.
Malware protection – Put in place tools to detect and stop viruses, spyware, and ransomware.
Patch management – Keep all software updated to fix known vulnerabilities quickly.

Although these may sound simple, together they stop the majority of attacks businesses face every day.

Cyber Essentials vs Cyber Essentials Plus

If your business works with sensitive information, financial services, healthcare, or public sector contracts, Cyber Essentials Plus is usually the recommended option.

How to Get Cyber Essentials Certified

Getting certified doesn’t have to be difficult. Here’s the process:

Evaluate your current systems – Identify where you already meet the requirements and where improvements are needed.
Choose your certification level – Decide between the basic level or the Plus version with independent verification.
Implement the five controls – Update firewalls, configure devices, set strong access controls, and ensure software is patched.
Complete the assessment – For Cyber Essentials, fill in the questionnaire; for Plus, arrange for an assessor to visit.
Receive certification – Once successful, you’ll receive a certificate valid for 12 months.
Renew annually – Certification must be maintained to keep your defences up to date.

Common Misconceptions

“Cyber Essentials is only for large organisations.”
False. The scheme was designed with SMEs in mind and is affordable for businesses of all sizes.
“It’s too expensive.”
In reality, entry-level certification is relatively low-cost, especially compared to the potential losses from a cyber attack.
“It’s a one-time box-ticking exercise.”
Certification lasts for a year and must be renewed. This ensures businesses continue to maintain strong defences.

Cyber Essentials Updates in 2025

The scheme evolves each year to reflect new cyber risks. In 2025, notable updates include:

Greater focus on supply chain resilience – Businesses are expected to verify that their partners are equally secure.
Cloud services in scope – With remote working and cloud adoption now standard, certification covers cloud infrastructure and software more closely.
Stronger password and authentication requirements – Businesses are encouraged to adopt multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible.

Real-World Benefits of Certification

Let’s consider a few practical scenarios:

A local accountancy firm achieved Cyber Essentials certification and was then able to bid for a government contract it would otherwise have been excluded from.
An online retailer used the certification process to overhaul its outdated password policies, significantly reducing the number of phishing-related incidents.
A small healthcare provider gained Cyber Essentials Plus, which reassured patients and partners that sensitive health data was being protected properly.

These examples show how certification can open doors, reduce risks, and strengthen relationships.

FAQs

How much does Cyber Essentials certification cost?
Prices vary, but Cyber Essentials typically starts from a few hundred pounds. Cyber Essentials Plus costs more due to the external audit.

How long does certification take?
Basic certification can be completed in a few days if systems are already compliant. Cyber Essentials Plus may take longer depending on the audit schedule.

Is Cyber Essentials mandatory in 2025?
It’s not legally required for all businesses, but it is mandatory for many public sector contracts and is increasingly expected in private sector supply chains.

Do micro-businesses need Cyber Essentials?
Yes. Even one-person businesses can achieve certification, and it often helps win client trust.

What happens if my business fails?
You’ll be given feedback on what needs fixing. Most organisations can make the changes quickly and resubmit.

Does Cyber Essentials stop all cyber attacks?
No system is 100% secure, but certification drastically reduces the risk of common, damaging attacks.

How Silver Lining Can Help

At Silver Lining, we guide businesses through the Cyber Essentials journey. From initial assessments to implementing the five security controls, we make the process smooth and stress-free.

Our services include:

Proactive IT monitoring to spot risks before they cause damage.
Cloud backup and recovery solutions to keep your data safe.
Cybersecurity consulting to prepare you for certification.
Ongoing support to maintain compliance and renew annually.

Whether you’re aiming for Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus, we provide the expertise and support to help you succeed.

Explore Silver Lining’s Cybersecurity Services

Conclusion

Cyber Essentials is more than a certificate. It’s a practical step every UK business can take to protect itself in 2025. Certification helps prevent common attacks, win contracts, reassure customers, and reduce risk.

If you haven’t yet taken the step towards Cyber Essentials, now is the time. With expert guidance from Silver Lining, achieving certification is straightforward, and the peace of mind it brings is invaluable.