Does My Small Business Need Cyber Essentials?

Cyber Essentials is often more valuable for a small business than a large one. Here is whether yours needs it, in plain terms.

Small businesses are targeted too

Most cyber attacks are automated and untargeted. They sweep up whoever is exposed, so being small is no protection. A single missing control is often all it takes, and a breach can be far harder for a small business to absorb.

When your small business needs it

You need it if a contract, tender, client or insurer asks for it, or if you handle customer and personal data and want to prove the basics are covered. For many small firms, one of these applies sooner or later.

Worth it even if no one is asking

Cyber Essentials is affordable, covers the five controls that stop most attacks, and gives you something concrete to show clients. It is one of the best value security steps a small business can take.

Quicker and cheaper than you might think

Fees are banded by organisation size, so small businesses pay the least, and certification is often completed in days once your controls are in place.

Ready to buy?

Transparent, fixed pricing based on your organisation size. By default we give you access to the IASME portal to complete your Cyber Essentials assessment yourself, and once you submit it we aim to assess within one business day. You can preview the Cyber Essentials self-assessment questions to see where you stand first. There is no call or consultation as standard; we simply send you the questionnaire to complete. Your submission is reviewed by a qualified, certified assessor, never fed into AI. Need it faster? Add urgent turnaround below. Want us to review your setup against the controls before you apply? That is a gap analysis, quoted separately: ask for one using the contact button under the form.

An appointed IASME Certification Body: your certificate comes directly from us. Verify our credentials on the BlockMark registry, and find us listed on the IASME website.

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Optional add-on

Tick it if you need it.

Urgent turnaroundMoved to the front of the queue and assessed same day where your submission arrives before midday. +£100

Total: select your size + VAT

Want a gap analysis, a different way to pay, or a question answered first?

Gap analysis. We review your setup against the controls you will be assessed on before you apply and tell you exactly what needs fixing, so nothing is a surprise when you submit. It is quoted against your setup rather than sold as a fixed add-on, so ask us and we will price it.

Anything else. Paying by card here is the quickest route, not the only one. Tell us how you would rather pay and we will sort it. Same if you want a question answered before you buy, or a quote for on-site Cyber Essentials or IASME Cyber Assurance Level 1.

Common questions

Is Cyber Essentials too expensive for a small business?

No. Fees are based on organisation size, so the smallest businesses pay the lowest fee. We quote a fixed price up front.

Do sole traders need Cyber Essentials?

Often yes, when a client or contract requires it. It is straightforward to scope and certify for a very small operation.

How long does it take?

Often just a few days once your controls meet the standard. We can fast-track it if you have a deadline.

Does my small business need Cyber Essentials?