Cyber Essentials Certification - Why Small Businesses Can’t Ignore It Anymore
If you run a small business, it’s easy to assume cybercrime is a “big company problem”.
It isn’t.
43% of UK cyberattacks now target small businesses, and the average incident costs £8k–£25k once downtime, clean-up and lost trust are taken into account. Some businesses never fully recover.
The uncomfortable truth?
Most of these attacks are basic and preventable.
That’s exactly what Cyber Essentials is designed to fix.
What Cyber Essentials Actually Does
Cyber Essentials enforces a small set of sensible security controls — things like patching, access control and device protection.
By doing this properly, it reduces the risk of common cyberattacks by up to 80% .
This isn’t red tape.
It’s good housekeeping.
Why It Makes Commercial Sense
It reduces financial risk
One avoided incident can pay for years of certification.
It helps with cyber insurance
Many insurers now expect Cyber Essentials. Some reduce premiums. Others refuse claims if basic controls aren’t in place. The certificate also includes £25,000 of complimentary cyber cover while valid.
It protects directors
Cyber Essentials provides independent evidence that “reasonable steps” were taken — crucial if something goes wrong.
It protects and unlocks revenue
More and more tenders, supply chains and partners expect it. Without Cyber Essentials, deals increasingly stall or fall over.
It builds trust
It’s a government-recognised badge that says:
“We take your data seriously.”
Why It Needs Renewing Every Year
Your business changes - people, devices, software and ways of working.
Annual certification:
- Stops security quietly drifting
- Keeps controls aligned with growth
- Makes cyber risk part of normal business governance
This isn’t a one-off tick-box. It’s ongoing risk management.
The Real Question
Cyber Essentials Certification isn’t an IT cost.
It’s a risk-reduction investment.
So the real question is no longer:
“Why should we do this?”
It’s:
“What does it cost us if we don’t?”
Ready to Get Certified?
If you’d like to understand:
- Where your current risks sit
- What gaps need closing
- What Cyber Essentials would involve for your business
👉 Book a short, discovery call with us and we’ll talk it through in plain English.
Cyber risk is a business issue - we’ll help you manage it properly.
Further reading https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberessentials/resources