Cyber threats aren’t going away. If anything, they’re growing more sophisticated and more relentless. For UK businesses, one of the most practical and effective ways to prove you’re taking security seriously is by achieving Cyber Essential Plus certification.
Unlike the basic Cyber Essentials certification, Cyber Essential Plus includes a hands-on technical audit and gives your organisation a far stronger security posture — along with greater trust from partners, insurers, and clients. In this guide, we’ll explain what it involves, how it helps, and why it’s worth pursuing.
What Is Cyber Essential Plus?
Cyber Essential Plus is the advanced version of the UK government-backed Cyber Essentials scheme. It focuses on the same five key security controls, but with one major difference — instead of self-assessment, it requires an independent technical audit.
The five controls assessed are:
- Firewalls
- Secure configuration
- Access control
- Malware protection
- Patch management
With Cyber Essential Plus, these aren’t just checked via a questionnaire. A qualified assessor tests your systems, policies, and real-world setup to ensure your business is actually protected.
Why Is Cyber Essential Plus Important?
Getting certified with Cyber Essential Plus tells customers, partners, and stakeholders that you’re serious about protecting their data. It shows that your security setup has been tested — not just declared.
Here are a few key reasons to go for it:
1. Enhanced Trust and Credibility
Cyber Essentials is becoming a requirement for more and more government contracts. But many private sector businesses also now insist on Cyber Essential Plus to work together. It can open doors.
2. Better Protection from Threats
The audit often reveals security gaps that businesses weren’t even aware of. Fixing these issues proactively means you reduce the risk of being hacked or exposed.
3. Reduced Cyber Insurance Costs
Insurers are increasingly looking for proof of cyber hygiene. Having Cyber Essential Plus can make you a lower risk and potentially reduce your premiums.
4. Improved Internal Awareness
Going through the certification process often highlights weak points in staff behaviour, access control, and endpoint protection — helping your business build stronger habits.
What the Cyber Essential Plus Audit Includes
When you apply for Cyber Essential Plus, your organisation goes through a technical verification process. This usually includes:
- External vulnerability scan
- Internal vulnerability scan
- Email and web browser configuration checks
- Malware and antivirus testing
- Access control and admin rights audit
- Device patching and update status
An assessor will test a sample of devices from across your organisation, not just your core server setup. This provides a more accurate picture of your actual cyber posture.
{VIEW CYBER SECURITY SERVICES: https://marshallinfotech.com/cyber-security/}
What to Expect During the Process
The full Cyber Essential Plus certification process typically includes:
- Pre-audit support: Review your systems and identify what needs to be fixed in advance.
- Gap analysis: Marshall provides a readiness check to help you pass first time.
- Technical assessment: A certified assessor reviews and tests your systems.
- Remediation period: If any issues are found, you have time to fix them.
- Certification: Once you pass, you receive your certificate and badge for public use.
Get Cyber Essentials Certified the Right Way
While it’s possible to attempt certification alone, most businesses benefit from expert guidance. At Marshall, we help businesses get Cyber Essentials certified by offering:
- Full pre-audit assessments
- Technical guidance to close gaps
- Support during the certification audit
- Ongoing advice to maintain compliance year after year
We don’t just tick boxes. We make sure your business is genuinely safer — not just appearing to be.
Who Should Get Cyber Essential Plus?
- Businesses handling sensitive client data
- Organisations working in government supply chains
- Companies seeking cyber insurance or better premiums
- Any business that has already achieved basic Cyber Essentials and wants to go further
If that sounds like you, then Cyber Essential Plus should be your next step.
Cyber security isn’t just an IT issue. It’s a business resilience issue. And with threats constantly evolving, Cyber Essential Plus offers a practical, respected, and recognised way to prove your organisation takes security seriously.
You’ve worked hard to build your business. Don’t let a preventable cyber attack undo it.Book a meeting, call us on 0203 384 9832 or email enquiries@marshallinfotech.com
