Cyber Essentials / Cyber Essentials Plus · UK
Cyber Essentials is the UK government-backed cybersecurity certification scheme that helps organisations protect against the most common cyber threats. The scheme has two levels: Cyber Essentials (self-assessment) and Cyber Essentials Plus (verified by an external assessor). Cyber Essentials Plus includes vulnerability scanning and basic penetration testing to verify that the five technical controls (firewalls, secure configuration, access controls, malware protection, and patch management) are properly implemented.
While Cyber Essentials certification covers fundamental security hygiene, many organisations use it as a stepping stone to more comprehensive security testing programmes. Cyber Essentials certification is mandatory for UK government contracts involving the handling of sensitive or personal information.
The scheme is administered by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and certified through accredited Certification Bodies. Penetration testing beyond the Cyber Essentials Plus assessment is recommended for organisations that want a deeper understanding of their security posture and exposure to more sophisticated threats.
UK offensive security consultancy delivering CREST-accredited penetration testing, adversary simulation and CBEST, TIBER-EU and TBEST threat-led testing, mainly for financial services and other large organisations.
Global enterprise cybersecurity consultancy founded in 1999 in Oxford, holding rare CREST STAR-FS accreditation and delivering penetration testing, red and purple teaming, and PCI QSA services across five international offices.
Global Big Four professional services firm delivering CREST, CHECK, and CBEST-accredited penetration testing and red teaming services from London, serving the UK's largest enterprises and regulated organisations.
CREST and CHECK-accredited UK penetration testing and managed security provider formed in 2026 from Pentest People, Bulletproof, and Target Defense, with CREST STAR/TLPT-FS capability and the GuardNest vulnerability management platform.
Elite UK offensive security consultancy specialising in CBEST/STAR/TIBER red teaming, advanced adversary simulation, and CREST-accredited penetration testing for FTSE 100 clients.
Full-service London-based cybersecurity consultancy with CREST, CHECK, and NCSC accreditations delivering offensive testing, managed detection, and strategic advisory services.
Manchester-based independent cybersecurity consultancy with over 20 years of experience delivering CREST and CHECK-accredited penetration testing, red teaming, and compliance certification services.
CREST and CHECK-accredited UK penetration testing consultancy with CBEST approval, specialising in infrastructure, application, and simulated attack assessments across the public and private sectors.
CHECK and CREST-accredited Birmingham-based cyber security consultancy with over 15 years of experience delivering penetration testing, red teaming, and OT security assessments for government and private sector clients.
Fast-growing CREST and CHECK-accredited UK cybersecurity consultancy with deep expertise in critical national infrastructure sectors.
Award-winning Cheltenham-based cybersecurity consultancy with NCSC CHECK Green Light status and CREST approval, specialising in defence, government, and critical national infrastructure security.
CREST and CHECK-accredited European managed services provider delivering penetration testing with deep infrastructure and cloud hosting expertise.
Cyber Essentials is a self-assessment questionnaire. Cyber Essentials Plus adds external verification including vulnerability scanning and testing of a sample of systems by a qualified assessor.
Yes, Cyber Essentials certification is required for UK government contracts that involve handling sensitive or personal information, and many government organisations require it from all suppliers.
Cyber Essentials Plus provides basic verification of security controls. Organisations with higher risk profiles should also conduct regular penetration testing covering web applications, internal networks, and other attack surfaces.