CYBER ESSENTIALS CERTIFICATION

Government-Backed Certification That Proves You Take Cyber Security Seriously

Q: Competitive Differentiation

In 2024 alone, 13% of certified businesses secured government contracts and another 13% won commercial contracts specifically because they held certification. Your competitors are getting certified - can you afford not to?

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.

cyber security essentials requirements to get accredited

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.

When Cyber Essentials Becomes Non-Negotiable

Most businesses exploring Cyber Essentials certification are here for one of these reasons:

Government contracts and many public sector opportunities require Cyber Essentials as a minimum standard. Without certification, you can’t even submit a bid – regardless of how good your security actually is.

More commercial clients – particularly in finance, legal, and professional services – are requiring Cyber Essentials from suppliers who handle their data. It’s becoming table stakes for winning and retaining business.

Insurance providers increasingly require or incentivise businesses to have Cyber Essentials certification. Businesses with certification are 92% less likely to claim on cyber insurance policies – which insurers have noticed.

In 2024 alone, 13% of certified businesses secured government contracts and another 13% won commercial contracts specifically because they held certification. Your competitors are getting certified – can you afford not to?

Beyond compliance, Cyber Essentials provides a structured framework for implementing five fundamental security controls. Organisations that implement these controls across their supply chain report up to 80% reduction in cyber security incidents.

WHAT CYBER ESSENTIALS ACTUALLY IS

Understanding The Scheme

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

Cyber Essentials (Self-Assessed)

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.

Cyber Essentials Plus (Technical Audit)

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.

The 5 Security Controls Explained

Cyber Essentials certification verifies that you’ve implemented five fundamental security controls. Here’s what they actually mean in practice:

Your network has properly configured firewalls that control what traffic can enter and leave your systems. This creates a security boundary between your business and the wider internet.

Your computers, servers, and devices are set up and configured securely – unnecessary services are disabled, security settings are appropriate, and systems aren’t left with default configurations that attackers can exploit.

You control who can access what within your systems. User accounts have appropriate permissions, administrative access is restricted, and accounts for people who’ve left the organisation are promptly removed.

You have anti-malware software installed and kept up-to-date on all devices. This includes computers, servers, and mobile devices that access business data.

You apply security patches and updates to software, operating systems, and firmware in a timely manner – addressing known vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

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.

The Lumina Approach

Certification as Part of Your Security Roadmap

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.

Foundation Tier

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.

Premium Tier – Cyber Essentials Plus

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.

Core (Baseline) Tier – Cyber Essentials Achievement

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.

Enterprise Tier

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.

Why Certification Matters Beyond Compliance

Access More Opportunities

13% of certified businesses secured government contracts, with another 13% winning commercial contracts where certification was a factor. Without Cyber Essentials, you can’t even compete for these opportunities.

Reduce Cyber Insurance Costs

Organisations with Cyber Essentials are 92% less likely to claim on cyber insurance policies. Insurers recognise this – many now offer reduced premiums or require certification for coverage.

Demonstrate Security Commitment

Certification provides independent verification that you take security seriously. It’s not just your word – it’s verified by an external assessor according to government standards.

Actually Improve Security

This isn’t just compliance theatre. Organisations that implement Cyber Essentials controls across their supply chain report up to 80% reduction in security incidents. The five controls prevent the vast majority of common attacks.

Client Trust & Confidence

When clients ask “how do we know you’re secure?”, Cyber Essentials provides a clear, verifiable answer. 89% of certified organisations recommend it to others – because it works.

Related Shield Services

Cyber Essentials as Part of The Shield

Certification verifies specific controls, but comprehensive security requires more:

Cyber Security Services

Cyber Essentials covers five fundamental controls. Our broader cyber security services provide the infrastructure security, endpoint protection, and vulnerability management that work alongside certification requirements.

Explore Cyber Security Services

Human Risk Management

Certification verifies technical controls. But security also requires your team to understand threats and work securely. Our training and culture programs ensure people support the controls, not undermine them.

Discover Human Risk Management

Business Continuity

Cyber Essentials helps prevent breaches. Business continuity ensures you can recover quickly if incidents occur despite your controls. Together, they create resilience.

Learn About Business Continuity

Together, these form The Shield – comprehensive protection where Cyber Essentials certification is one component of a broader security strategy.

Why Lumina for Cyber Essentials?

100% Certification Success Rate

No Standalone Service

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 Know the Process Inside Out

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.

We’re Local Partners

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.

We Have a 100% Success Rate

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’ll Know Your Team By Name

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.

We Build Security That Lasts

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.

Ready to Achieve Cyber Essentials Certification?

Cyber Essentials certification is achieved as part of your security partnership with Lumina – not as a standalone service.

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