In today's fast-paced digital world, cyber threats are a growing concern for businesses of all sizes. A single cyber attack can bring operations to a halt, cause financial damage and erode trust with customers. That’s why at Edmondson’s, we recommend the Cyber Essentials certification as a critical step in your business’s cybersecurity journey.

Cyber Essentials is a government-backed certification scheme designed to help businesses protect themselves from the most common online threats. It provides a solid foundation of cybersecurity and demonstrates to customers, suppliers and stakeholders that your business takes data protection seriously.

What Is Cyber Essentials?

Cyber Essentials sets out a clear set of cybersecurity measures that businesses should have in place. These cover five core areas: firewalls, secure configuration, access control, malware protection and patch management. In simple terms, it helps you guard against threats like phishing, malware, password breaches and other common attacks.

The scheme is government-backed and supported by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), making it a recognised benchmark for cyber safety. Certification is also a requirement for many public sector contracts, especially those involving the handling of sensitive data.

At Edmondson’s, we guide you through every step of the certification process, from assessment to successful completion. Whether you're a start-up or a growing SME, our tailored packages ensure your business gets the right level of protection.

Why It’s More Important Now Than Ever Before

The numbers speak for themselves. According to the 2024 Cyber Security Breaches Survey, half of UK businesses reported cyber attacks in the past year. Of those, the average cost of the most disruptive breach for medium-sized businesses was over £10,800. Alarmingly, phishing accounted for 84% of all attacks.

These statistics show that cybercrime isn’t just a problem for large corporations. Small and medium-sized businesses are equally at risk, and often less prepared. Gaining Cyber Essentials certification helps reduce these risks while also enhancing your reputation.

With the growing number of remote workers and reliance on digital tools, businesses need to be proactive about cybersecurity. Waiting until something goes wrong is no longer an option.

The Benefits of Cyber Essentials Certification

Getting certified is more than just ticking a box. It shows your commitment to safeguarding customer data and protecting your business. Here are just a few of the key benefits:

1. Reduce the risk of cyber attacks
By putting essential security controls in place, you're less likely to fall victim to common threats like ransomware or phishing.

2. Build trust with clients and suppliers
Certification sends a clear message that your business takes cybersecurity seriously. This can help you win more contracts and maintain stronger relationships with customers.

3. Comply with industry standards
Whether you're working in finance, legal, health or retail, many sectors now expect a basic level of cybersecurity. Cyber Essentials helps meet these expectations.

4. Support for insurance and legal requirements
Some insurers and regulatory bodies require businesses to be certified or follow similar security protocols. With Cyber Essentials, you can meet those obligations more easily.

5. Cyber liability insurance
All Cyber Essentials certifications include up to £25,000 of cyber liability insurance, giving you peace of mind in case of an incident.

Which Level Is Right for You?

Edmondson’s offers three flexible certification options to suit your business:

Cyber Essentials

This is the entry-level certification, perfect for businesses looking to strengthen their basic defences. It includes everything you need to get started, along with remote support and one free retest if required. From just £575 + VAT per year (£47.92 monthly), it’s a cost-effective way to boost your cyber resilience.

Cyber Essentials Plus

Cyber Essentials Plus includes everything from the basic package, with the added benefit of an independent audit carried out by a qualified assessor. This gives you deeper insights into your security and helps meet specific industry standards. Priced from £1,750 + VAT per year, it's ideal for businesses looking for a higher level of assurance.

Bespoke Cyber Security Packages

If your business has unique requirements, we can put together a bespoke package tailored to your needs. This allows you to pick and choose elements from both Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus, as well as any additional support. It’s flexible, effective and fully customised.

What’s Included with Edmondson’s?

All of our Cyber Essentials packages come with a set of powerful tools and support features to help you pass certification and stay secure beyond it:

• Anti-virus protection to block and detect threats in real time
• Security awareness training for your team
• Phishing simulation tools to test your defences
• Vulnerability scanning to identify potential weaknesses
• Threat dashboard for easy monitoring
• Asset tracking to manage IT equipment effectively
• Remote support, with up to 4 hours included in higher packages
• Free retests, depending on your plan

Whether you're looking for a simple starting point or an in-depth solution, Edmondson’s has the experience and tools to help you succeed.

Why Choose Edmondson’s?

At Edmondson’s, we pride ourselves on delivering professional, confident and proactive IT support. We're rated Excellent on Trustpilot, and our team has helped countless businesses across the UK improve their cybersecurity.

We don’t just hand you a checklist and send you on your way; We guide you through the whole process, offering practical advice, expert insight and hands-on support every step of the way. Our aim is to make Cyber Essentials certification straightforward and stress-free.

Get Your Free Quote Today

Cyber threats aren’t going away, but with Cyber Essentials, you can take control and protect your business. Let Edmondson’s help you secure your systems, build customer trust and meet industry requirements.

Get in touch today for a free quote and take the first step towards stronger digital protection.