How Much Does Cyber Essentials Plus Certification Cost in the UK?

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Cyber-attacks are a growing concern for UK businesses, which is why the UK government introduced the Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certifications in 2014. As of October that year, Cyber Essentials became mandatory for organisations bidding for government contracts, cementing its role in safeguarding sensitive data.

According to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) , demand is steadily increasing — 9,037 Cyber Essentials Plus certificates were issued last year, marking a 55% rise , and micro-businesses (with fewer than 10 employees) saw a 17% increase in certification uptake. Clearly, even the smallest organisations are recognising the value of demonstrating strong cybersecurity practices.

Whether you’re aiming for public sector contracts or want to strengthen your organisation’s cybersecurity posture, this guide will break down everything you need to know about Cyber Essentials Plus — especially the cost.

What Is Cyber Essentials Plus Certification?

Cyber Essentials Plus is a UK government-backed certification that proves your organisation has strong cybersecurity measures in place to defend against common cyber threats. It’s an enhanced version of the basic Cyber Essentials certification , adding a layer of independent technical verification for greater assurance.

Unlike the basic certification, which is based on a self-assessment, Cyber Essentials Plus includes a hands-on audit by a third-party certification body. This includes a thorough review of your controls and external vulnerability scans to test your organisation’s defences in real-world conditions.

To achieve Cyber Essentials Plus , organisations must:

1. Implement foundational controls like firewalls, secure configurations, and access control.
2. Complete the Cyber Essentials self-assessment.
3. Undergo a technical audit and external vulnerability scan performed by an NCSC-accredited certification body.
4. Pass the assessment and maintain certification with annual renewals.

How Much Does Cyber Essentials Plus Certification Cost?

The cost of Cyber Essentials Plus certification varies based on company size and how ready you are for assessment. As a general guide, the total cost ranges from £1,499 to £4,250+ VAT.

Here’s a breakdown of the standard tiered pricing introduced by the NCSC in 2022 :

Micro business (0 to 9 employees): £1,499-£1,650 (excluding VAT).
Small businesses (10 to 49 employees): £1,999-£2,250.

Medium-sized organisations (50 to 249 employees): around £2,499-£3,250.

Large organisation (250 or more employees): £2,999-£4,250 , depending on how complex your systems are.

These prices cover the certification only — additional costs like pre-assessments or remediation may apply.

Additional Services and Costs

• Pre-assessment and consultancy : £1,000–£1,500 (optional but helpful)
• VAT : Not included in the above ranges

Cyber Essentials Plus certification can only be issued by certification bodies accredited by the IASME Consortium , under NCSC’s oversight.

What Factors Affect Cyber Essentials Plus Costs?

Beyond the listed pricing tiers, several variables can affect your total investment. Let’s explore them:

Larger organisations have more devices, users, and systems to audit. This directly impacts:

• Assessment time and scope
• Preparation efforts
• Training needs

Security Maturity

If you already have some or all of the five mandatory security controls in place (firewalls, secure configuration, access control, malware protection, patch management), your readiness improves, and costs reduce.

If you already have a firewall installed (typically £250–£1,000), you won’t need to budget for a new one.

Consultancy Support

To ensure success, many businesses engage cybersecurity consultants, especially for Cyber Essentials Plus. Consultancy fees range from £50–£200/hour , depending on the provider and complexity of your systems.

Employee Training

Cybersecurity awareness training is crucial. Costs usually range between £1–£3 per employee , depending on the platform and depth of training.

Remediation Efforts

If vulnerabilities are found during the assessment or scan, you’ll need to fix them — fast. Remediation costs vary widely:

• Minor fixes : a few hundred pounds
• Major issues : thousands, especially if infrastructure upgrades are required

Ongoing Maintenance

Annual renewal of your certification requires:

• Policy reviews
• Vulnerability scans
• Control updates

These continuous efforts add to the lifetime cost but help maintain a strong cybersecurity posture.

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What Are the Costs of Not Having Cyber Essentials Plus?

It’s tempting to delay certification — but doing so comes at a cost. Here’s what’s at stake:

Higher Risk of Cyber Breaches

Without proper controls, your organisation becomes a soft target. Data breaches can cost millions and, in some cases, shut businesses down entirely.

Lost Business Opportunities

Many clients — especially government and enterprise — require proof of cybersecurity. Lack of certification could lead to lost bids or missed deals.

Weakened Security Posture

Without regular audits, your defences may weaken. Certification ensures:

• Awareness training
• Active patching
• Continuous improvements

Rising Operational Costs

Non-compliance can lead to:

• Fines and penalties
• Higher cyber insurance premiums
• Downtime and disruption from incidents

SecureSlate helps organisations streamline the certification process, reducing risk, cost, and complexity.

Get Cyber Essentials Plus Certified with SecureSlate

If your business needs to demonstrate a strong, independently verified cybersecurity posture — especially when working with government bodies or public-sector clients — Cyber Essentials Plus is the certification to aim for. It shows you go beyond the basics and take security seriously.

SecureSlate is your trusted partner in making that happen.

By connecting your existing tech stack to the SecureSlate platform, you’ll unlock a streamlined compliance workflow tailored to frameworks like Cyber Essentials Plus.

From ready-to-use policy templates and built-in employee training to automated evidence collection and continuous monitoring, SecureSlate simplifies the entire process.

With support for over 20 frameworks and security standards, SecureSlate gets you audit-ready faster — without the heavy lifting.

FAQs

Why does Cyber Essentials Plus cost more than Cyber Essentials?

Cyber Essentials Plus involves hands-on technical testing, external vulnerability scans, and audits. In contrast, the basic Cyber Essentials only requires a self-assessment. Hence, the cost difference — Cyber Essentials starts at £320+ VAT , while Cyber Essentials Plus starts at £1,499+ VAT.

How long does the Cyber Essentials Plus certification process take?

Pre-assessment : 5–10 days
Assessment and audit : A few days to a few weeks, depending on readiness and complexity

What if my organisation fails the Cyber Essentials Plus audit?

You’ll have a window (typically 30 days) to remediate and reapply. Be aware — additional re-scan or reassessment fees may apply.

Conclusion

Cyber Essentials Plus is more than a compliance checkbox — it’s a business enabler. It signals that your organisation takes cybersecurity seriously and is ready to handle sensitive data responsibly.

Ready to Streamline Compliance?

Building a secure foundation for your startup is crucial, but navigating the complexities of achieving compliance can be a hassle, especially for small teams.

SecureSlate offers a simpler solution:

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