Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed certification that proves your business meets baseline cybersecurity standards. This guide explains how certification works, how it affects your insurance, and when it’s worth pursuing.
Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed scheme that helps businesses guard against the most common cyber threats. It sets a baseline for security controls and shows clients and insurers that you take protection seriously.
The scheme focuses on five technical controls: firewalls, secure configuration, access control, malware protection, and software updates. Businesses complete a self-assessment to confirm they meet these standards. An accredited certification body reviews the answers before issuing the certificate.
The scheme is run by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and delivered through IASME-accredited certification bodies. It covers protection against common threats such as phishing, malware, and unauthorised access, not advanced, targeted attacks.
Cyber Essentials is self-assessed. You complete a questionnaire and provide evidence where needed.
Cyber Essentials Plus includes an independent technical audit. A certifying body tests your systems to confirm you meet the requirements. Both levels prove you have the core controls in place. Plus offers more credibility with clients, regulators, and insurers.
Yes. Holding Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus can improve how insurers assess your risk. It can lead to lower premiums, faster applications, and better policy terms.
1. Lower premiums and smoother applications: Certification shows you meet baseline cybersecurity controls. Many insurers reward this with reduced premiums, often in the range of 5% to 20%, or by simplifying the underwriting process.
2. Broader eligibility: Some insurers will not cover businesses without basic security measures in place. Certification proves you have these controls, increasing your access to more policies.
3. Faster claims support: Certified businesses usually have stronger response plans. This can shorten the time it takes to process and pay a cyber insurance claim.
4. Access to better terms: Cyber Essentials Plus, which includes an independent audit, can open the door to higher cover limits, lower excesses, or added protections such as social engineering cover.
CyberSure insight: Certification is not mandatory, but it shifts the odds in your favour. It lowers risk in the insurer’s eyes, and that makes cover fairer, faster, and sometimes cheaper.
No. Cyber Essentials is not a legal or contractual requirement for most cyber insurance policies, and plenty of insurers will still offer cover without it.
However, having certification can make it easier to get approved, reduce the number of security questions you need to answer, and improve your policy terms. Some insurers give discounts or enhanced cover to certified businesses.
Cyber Essentials is more than an insurance talking point. It improves your security posture, builds client confidence, and can open new opportunities. Here are the clear benefits to your business you need to consider: