Get 75% Off Cyber Essentials Cert Through Government Funding | 1101

By Marvin, Technical Director at 1101

I'll be honest, cyber security isn't always top of the priority list for smaller businesses.

There's a business to run, customers to look after, people to manage and about a hundred other things competing for attention. Unless something goes wrong, it's easy to assume your IT security is ticking along nicely in the background.

For me, there's a big difference between assuming everything is secure and knowing it is. Looking after the technical and security side of things at 1101 means that's a distinction I take seriously.

What caught my attention about the recent Government announcement was the help behind it. It's not just encouraging businesses to be proactive about cyber security; it's providing financial support to help them take that step.

There's now £9.4 million of funding available to help UK SMEs achieve Cyber Essentials certification.

For eligible businesses, that means getting certified could cost 75% less than usual. Some businesses supplying larger organisations may even qualify for fully funded certification.

I think it's a great opportunity for businesses that have been meaning to take their cyber security more seriously but haven't quite got around to it.

Here's what you need to know...

First things first, what is Cyber Essentials?

Cyber Essentials is a Government-backed certification designed to help businesses protect themselves against some of the most common cyber threats.

It focuses on five key areas:

• Firewalls: Creating a barrier between your business and potential online threats.
• Secure configuration: Making sure your computers, devices and systems are set up securely.
• Security updates: Keeping software up to date so known vulnerabilities aren't left open to attack.
• User access control: Making sure people can only access the systems and information they actually need.
• Malware protection: Helping prevent malicious software from getting onto your devices.

These might sound like basic things, and that's precisely the point. You don't necessarily need an expensive, complicated security setup to improve your protection. Getting the fundamentals right is a good place to start.

Cyber Essentials gives you a recognised standard to work towards and a way of demonstrating that you've put these important security measures in place.

Of course, it's not a guarantee that you'll never experience a cyber attack, but it does help protect against many common internet-based threats.

Why should smaller businesses prioritise security?

One of the biggest misconceptions I come across is that cyber criminals are only interested in large organisations. They're not.

Smaller businesses hold valuable information, use connected systems and rely on technology just as much as bigger companies. The difference is that they often have fewer resources to deal with an incident when something goes wrong.

Picture a normal working morning, then imagine your team suddenly can't access emails, files or the systems they need to do their jobs. What would that mean for your business? Then there's the worry of customer information being compromised or someone gaining access to your accounts.

Even a relatively straightforward incident can cause a lot of disruption, particularly when you've got customers to keep happy and a business to keep moving.

There's also the business relationship side of things to consider.

More organisations are asking questions about the security of the businesses they work with. If you're handling sensitive information, supplying larger companies or tendering for contracts, being able to demonstrate that you take cyber security seriously can make a real difference.

Cyber Essentials is one way to do that.

So, what's this 75% discount all about?

The Cyber Essentials First Step Fund

The Government has introduced a funding scheme designed to make Cyber Essentials more accessible to smaller businesses.

Eligible UK micro, small and medium-sized businesses can receive 75% off the cost of a new Cyber Essentials assessment. That means you only pay the remaining 25%.

Depending on the size of your business, the discounted prices are:

To qualify, your organisation must be registered in the UK and must not have held Cyber Essentials certification within the previous four years.

There's a limited pot of funding available, so it's first come, first served. You'll need to register and purchase your assessment by 31 March 2027, or sooner if the funding runs out.

Once purchased, you'll have six months to complete and submit your assessment.

Why I'd recommend getting Cyber Essentials certified

For me, the value of Cyber Essentials goes beyond having another certificate to display on your website.

It's about understanding how well your business is protected and having something tangible to demonstrate that you're taking security seriously.

1. Get the security basics right

Cyber Essentials gives you a recognised set of security requirements to work through. These help you address some of the common weaknesses we see in the computers and systems businesses use.

It's an opportunity to take a closer look at how your systems are configured, where there might be gaps and what needs improving.

Getting these fundamentals right can help reduce your exposure to common cyber threats.

2. Build trust with customers and suppliers

Businesses are increasingly looking at the security of the organisations they work with.

Being able to demonstrate that you hold Cyber Essentials certification can give customers and suppliers greater confidence in how you manage and protect your systems and information.

3. Keep the door open to new opportunities

Some public sector contracts require Cyber Essentials certification, and larger organisations may make it a requirement for their suppliers.

If you're looking to win new contracts or work with bigger customers, certification could help you meet those requirements.

My advice is to not just chase the certificate

My starting point would be better protection for your business, not just a cheaper certificate. I think the funding is a great opportunity, but the discount is a reason to get started sooner rather than later, not the whole reason to do it.

Cyber Essentials is about understanding where your business might be exposed and doing something about it.

I'd start with a few practical questions: when did you last check who has access to your business systems? Are your devices receiving the right security updates? And do you know whether everything connecting to your network is properly protected? You don't need to have every answer before you start looking.

These aren't complicated questions, but they're important ones. And if you don't know the answers, that's a good place to start.

I'd also point out that certification isn't a one-and-done exercise. Cyber Essentials needs renewing annually, so it's worth thinking about how you'll maintain those standards rather than treating it as a tick-box exercise every 12 months.

Where does 1101 come in?

At 1101, helping organisations get a better handle on their cyber security is a big part of what we do.

We offer Cyber Essentials support, helping businesses understand the requirements, identify anything that needs attention and work towards certification.

We know the technical side of the process, so you don't have to figure it all out yourself. And with Government funding now available, there's an opportunity to get the right support and certification at a considerably reduced cost.

If you've been putting cyber security on the back burner, this could be a good reason to bring it back to the top of the list.

Not sure whether your business qualifies, or want to find out more about getting certified through 1101?

Get in touch with us and let's get the ball rolling.