CYBER ESSENTIALS CERTIFICATION
You can’t tender for many contracts without it. Clients increasingly expect it. Cyber insurance providers often require it.
Cyber Essentials certification demonstrates your commitment to cyber security through independently verified technical controls. We guide you through the certification process as part of your broader security journey with Lumina – because certification should improve your security, not just tick a compliance box.
The challenge?
The certification process can feel intimidating if you’ve never done it before. The technical requirements aren’t always clear. And you’re not sure if your current security measures will pass assessment.
That’s where we come in.
Most businesses exploring Cyber Essentials certification are here for one of these reasons:
Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed certification scheme that verifies your organisation implements five essential security controls designed to protect against the most common cyber attacks.
The scheme was created by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to provide a baseline security standard that organisations can achieve and demonstrate to clients, partners, and insurers.
The statistics demonstrate why it matters:
Over 33,000 certifications were issued in 2024 alone (a 20% increase from the previous year)
98% success rate for organisations seeking certification when properly prepared
89% of certified organisations recommend it to others
91% plan to recertify – it’s not just compliance theatre, it actually improves security
You complete an assessment questionnaire detailing your security controls. An independent certification body reviews your responses and conducts external vulnerability scanning. If you meet the requirements, you receive certification.
Best for:
Organisations needing to meet minimum tender requirements or demonstrate baseline security commitment.
Everything in Cyber Essentials, plus a comprehensive hands-on technical audit of your systems. An assessor directly examines your infrastructure, devices, and configurations to verify controls are implemented correctly.
Best for:
Organisations handling sensitive data, those in regulated industries, or businesses where clients specifically require the “Plus” level for enhanced assurance.
Most of our clients pursue Cyber Essentials Plus – it demonstrates a higher level of security commitment and increasingly, clients won’t accept the basic level.
Cyber Essentials certification verifies that you’ve implemented five fundamental security controls. Here’s what they actually mean in practice:
These aren’t revolutionary security controls – they’re fundamental security practices. But implementing them correctly and consistently is what certification verifies. Organisations that maintain these five controls prevent approximately 80% of common cyber attacks.
Cyber Essentials isn’t something we offer as a standalone service.
It’s integrated into a broader security partnership with Lumina as part of our PRISM framework.
At this stage, you’re establishing fundamental security controls. We help you build toward Cyber Essentials compliance, implementing the five essential controls as part of your baseline security.
Most of our clients are here or working toward it. Premium tier includes Cyber Essentials Plus certification – the more rigorous technical audit level. This demonstrates higher security commitment and meets the requirements clients increasingly expect.
This is typically where Cyber Essentials certification happens. Your security controls are in place, properly configured, and ready for assessment. We guide you through the certification process, prepare the documentation, and ensure you’re ready for external review.
At this level, Cyber Essentials Plus is maintained alongside comprehensive security governance, formal policies, and potential preparation for broader compliance frameworks (ISO 27001, GDPR, industry-specific requirements).
The Principle: Certification should reflect genuine security improvement, not just paperwork. We build the security controls as part of your PRISM journey, then guide you through proving them via certification.
Certification verifies specific controls, but comprehensive security requires more:
Beyond Cyber Essentials, comprehensive security measures protect your shop floor, design office, and client confidentiality.
Security training for your team that addresses manufacturing-specific threats – because engineers need different training than office staff.
Multi-year IT roadmaps aligned with your business growth, contract requirements, and potential exit strategy.
Together, these form The Shield – comprehensive protection where Cyber Essentials certification is one component of a broader security strategy.
Certification only makes sense as part of genuine security improvement. We guide you through Cyber Essentials as part of your broader PRISM security journey – not as isolated compliance paperwork.
We’ve guided numerous organisations through both Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certification. We understand what assessors look for, how to prepare documentation, and how to address technical requirements effectively.
As a Hertfordshire-based IT and cyber security provider, we offer the benefits of a local partner with deep certification experience. When you have questions, we’re here – not at the end of a generic support queue.
Every client we’ve guided through Cyber Essentials certification has achieved it. Why? Because we build the security controls properly first, then guide you through proving them via certification.
You’re not working with a faceless certification mill. You’ll know your Lumina security team by name, and they’ll understand your business, your challenges, and your specific circumstances.
91% of certified organisations plan to recertify – and all our clients maintain their certification through ongoing partnership with us. This isn’t one-and-done compliance. It’s sustained security.
Cyber Essentials certification is achieved as part of your security partnership with Lumina – not as a standalone service.
