Cyber Essentials Checklist: Key Steps for Cybersecurity

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Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be confusing or overwhelming. If you’re a startup, small business, or growing company, Cyber Essentials is a clear and practical framework to help protect your systems. It isn’t designed to solve every security issue, but it helps prevent the most common attacks with a manageable set of actions.

This guide outlines the Cyber Essentials checklist and explains each requirement in simple, actionable terms. No unnecessary details. Just what you need to focus on.

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What is Cyber Essentials?

Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed certification scheme that helps businesses improve their cybersecurity. It’s managed by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and provides a structured approach to reduce risk from common threats.

There are two levels of certification:

• Cyber Essentials : The standard level. It involves a self-assessment where you confirm that your business meets the required controls.
• Cyber Essentials Plus : This includes all the same requirements but adds an independent technical audit and vulnerability testing.

Many businesses begin with Cyber Essentials and upgrade to Cyber Essentials Plus as their security needs evolve.

Why Cyber Essentials?

Cyber Essentials is more than a checklist — it’s a foundation for building a safer business.

Often Mandatory

Many government contracts in the UK won’t accept bids from companies without Cyber Essentials certification. This is especially true for contracts involving the handling of sensitive or personal information. Even outside the public sector, large enterprises increasingly expect suppliers and vendors to have Cyber Essentials to meet basic due diligence.

Building Trust
Prospects and partners are more likely to work with you if they know your business takes cybersecurity seriously. Displaying your Cyber Essentials badge on your website, proposals, or email signature sends a strong message: you follow recognized best practices to protect data and systems.

Mitigating Risks
The scheme focuses on the most common types of cyber attacks — phishing, malware, and unauthorised access. These are the attacks most likely to disrupt your operations, damage your reputation, or lead to data loss. Cyber Essentials helps reduce your exposure to these risks with a structured, proven approach.

Strengthening Internal Practices
Cyber Essentials pushes your team to adopt better habits. That includes secure configuration, regular patching, access control, and ongoing monitoring. These small but consistent practices lead to more disciplined and secure IT management over time.

Compliance Efforts
Cyber Essentials overlaps with controls from other frameworks like ISO 27001, GDPR, and NIST. Starting with Cyber Essentials can make it easier to build toward broader compliance goals later on.

For Measurable Cybersecurity
The process gives you a clear benchmark. You know exactly where your security stands today, and what you need to fix to reach certification. That visibility helps guide both short-term improvements and long-term strategy.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Cybersecurity for Your Business?
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Cyber Essentials Checklist

These are the five security areas required for Cyber Essentials certification. Each one is focused, practical, and within reach for most small to mid-sized businesses.

1. Firewalls

Firewalls control the flow of data between your network and the internet. They block unauthorised traffic and help reduce your attack surface.

To Do:

• Set up and configure firewalls for every internet connection your business uses.
• Change any default administrative passwords.
• Only enable the ports and services that are absolutely necessary.

If your team works from home, those home routers may be in scope too. Make sure they’re properly secured.

2. Secure Configuration

Most systems come with default settings that prioritize ease of use over security. Those defaults often include unnecessary software or services that could be exploited.

To Do:

• Uninstall software you don’t use. Fewer apps mean fewer vulnerabilities.
• Remove old or unused user accounts.
• Turn off autorun features that automatically launch programs from external devices.
• Require strong passwords across all systems.
• Replace all default login credentials with unique ones.
• Audit configuration settings on all devices, including printers, laptops, servers, and more.

The goal is to reduce opportunities for attackers by hardening every endpoint.

3. User Access Control

People should only have access to the data and systems they need for their jobs. Nothing more.

To Do:

• Give each person their own account. No shared logins.
• Limit user privileges to what’s essential.
• Regularly review access levels and remove accounts that are no longer in use.

This minimizes the chance of accidental damage or insider threats and makes it easier to track activity.

4. Malware Protection

Malware can enter through emails, downloads, or malicious websites. It’s one of the most common ways businesses get compromised.

To Do:

• Install anti-malware software on every device.
• Enable real-time scanning to catch threats immediately.
• Keep malware definitions up to date.
• Block access to known malicious websites.

Employees should also be trained to recognize suspicious emails and attachments. Technology and awareness go hand in hand.

5. Patch Management

Software vendors release patches to fix security flaws. If you don’t apply those patches quickly, attackers can exploit known vulnerabilities.

To Do:

• Apply critical security updates within 14 days of release.
• Use software that is still supported by the vendor.
• Where possible, automate updates to avoid delays.
• Audit all systems — including applications and firmware — to make sure nothing is missed.

Patch management is one of the most effective ways to stay secure. It’s simple, but powerful.

How SecureSlate Simplifies Cyber Essentials Certification

SecureSlate is a tool designed to make the Cyber Essentials certification process easier and more efficient. It centralizes tasks, reduces manual tracking, and helps ensure your business meets all certification requirements.

Key benefits of SecureSlate:

• Automated checks : Get clear visibility into your current security status and progress.
• Templates and guidance : Use structured templates that match Cyber Essentials requirements.
• Team collaboration : Assign tasks and track progress across departments.
• Audit preparation : Identify gaps before submission and prepare for assessor reviews.

SecureSlate is especially helpful for small teams that need a practical, easy-to-use platform. It reduces errors, saves time, and improves the overall experience of getting certified.

Final Thoughts

Cyber Essentials is a straightforward and affordable way to improve your business’s security. It focuses on practical, foundational controls that stop the majority of cyber attacks.

The Cyber Essentials checklist helps you structure your approach, improve internal practices, and demonstrate to customers that security matters to your business.

If you want to make the process faster and more organized, tools like SecureSlate can reduce the complexity and help you stay compliant over time.

FAQs

Is Cyber Essentials mandatory?
Not for every business. But if you work with UK government contracts or security-conscious clients, it may be required.

How long does Cyber Essentials take?
If your systems are already aligned, it may take just a few days. If you need to make changes, it could take a few weeks. Using tools like SecureSlate can speed up the process.

Is Cyber Essentials only for UK companies?
No. It is UK-based, but companies anywhere in the world can apply, especially if they serve UK customers.

Do I need an IT team to get certified?
Not necessarily. Many small businesses complete it with limited IT staff. However, some technical knowledge is helpful.

What happens if I fail?
You’ll receive feedback on what needs to be fixed. Once corrected, you can reapply.

What does Cyber Essentials cost?
Prices start at around £300-£500 for the basic certification. Cyber Essentials Plus costs more because of the additional technical audit.