Cyber security threats are on the rise, and no business is too small or too large to face the risks. Our trusted expert partners, Citation Cyber explore how the Cyber Essentials certification can help protect your organisation. From defending against common threats to boosting confidence and resilience, discover how this Government-backed scheme, along with Citation Cyber’s services, simplifies the path to a safer business.
Half of UK businesses faced a cyber attack last year. No, that’s not a made up number. It’s from the government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024. And guess what was the top culprit? Phishing, making up 84% of attacks. Whether you’re a sole trader, a micro business, or an established SME, it’s a stark reminder that no one’s immune.
But here’s the good news. Protecting your business doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. The Cyber Essentials scheme gives you a straightforward, affordable way to strengthen your defences against the most common threats.
What is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a Government-backed certification designed to shield your business from everyday online threats. Here’s how it works:
- Build a firewall – safeguard your internet connection.
- Lock it down – optimise device and software settings.
- Control access – limit who gets into your systems.
- Fight malware – deploy antivirus tools.
- Patch it up – always update your software.
The scheme keeps it simple with two levels of certification. Cyber Essentials is self-assessed, while Cyber Essentials Plus gives you the added reassurance of an independent technical review. Both options provide solid protection.
Why your business needs this
No one likes to think it’ll happen to them, but cyber crime isn’t just for big corporations. The average cost of a serious breach for UK businesses? It’s around £3.4m. And that’s before you factor in the lost time, trust and reputation.
Cyber Essentials is about more than just your security. Here’s why it’s worth it for your business:
1. Stop attacks in their tracks
With a 99% mitigation rate against common threats, Cyber Essentials gives you peace of mind that you’ve got the fundamentals covered.
2. Grow your confidence (and your business)
Nine in ten certified businesses feel more in control of their cyber strategy. Plus, with 69% reporting better competitiveness, you’ll be primed to land contracts that require certification.
3. Streamline operations and save money
Skip the endless admin. Cyber Essentials helps speed up compliance processes, and many certified businesses enjoy insurance perks, like lower premiums and fewer claims.
4. Build a resilient culture
This isn’t just about tech. Certification encourages teams to step up, talk about risks openly, and work together to keep your business safe.
Cyber security that goes beyond basics
Cyber Essentials lays the groundwork, but why stop there? Citation Cyber’s added services put you miles ahead of the threats lurking out there.
- Phishing simulator – see how well your team can handle a sneaky attack before it’s real.
- Penetration testing – uncover system vulnerabilities and fix them before anyone else finds out.
- Intelligent monitoring – spot and stop emerging threats with real-time insights.
Combine these with your certification, and you’ve got a proactive, top-to-bottom defence strategy.
Why Citation Cyber?
Citation Cyber has been leading the charge in cyber security since 2014 as one of the UK’s first certification bodies for Cyber Essentials. Over the past decade, we’ve helped thousands of organisations improve their cyber resilience.
When you work with us, you’ll receive step-by-step guidance tailored to your needs, and we simplify the certification process by offering detailed assistance with the questionnaire. Want a process that’s easy to understand and achievable, even if you’re not big on tech? We’ve got you covered.
Here’s why people work with us:
- No guesswork – we make the certification process easy, guiding you every step of the way (and helping you conquer that tricky questionnaire).
- Fast turnarounds – need it done yesterday? We’ve got you covered in as little as one day.
- More than certification – from training to monitoring, we’ve got everything you need to keep threats at bay.
Stop cyber crime before it stops you
Cyber Essentials is your first step to a safer, stronger business. And with decades of experience and all the extra layers of protection we offer, Citation Cyber is the team to help get you there. And when you want to build on that foundation, our extra services, including awareness training, penetration testing and phishing simulation, are the perfect next steps.
Reach out to Paul our Head of Partnerships by emailing [email protected] for more information on how you can safeguard your assets and build resilience. Don’t wait for a breach to disrupt your business. Take control of your cyber security strategy now.