Cyber Essentials vs Cyber Essentials Plus: What’s the Difference?

Published on 15 January 2026

Cyber security isn’t just for big corporations anymore. Businesses of all sizes are facing cyber threats, which is why the UK government created the Cyber Essentials scheme. It’s a straightforward framework that helps you protect your business against the most common online attacks.

When you start looking into certification, you’ll see two options: Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus. They’re related, but they’re not the same thing. Let’s break down the differences so you can work out which one is right for your business.

What Is Cyber Essentials?

Think of Cyber Essentials as your starting point. It’s an entry-level certification that shows you’ve implemented essential cybersecurity measures. These protections help defend against common threats like phishing, malware, and unauthorized access, enabling businesses to manage the most common cyber risks in a practical, achievable way (King, Security Boulevard, 2025).

The process is fairly straightforward. You complete a self-assessment questionnaire where you answer questions about how your IT systems are set up and managed. The assessment covers five key areas that form the backbone of good cyber security and are designed to protect organisations from the most common attack vectors (King, Security Boulevard, 2025):

• Firewalls and internet gateways – protecting your network perimeter
• Secure configuration – making sure devices are set up safely
• Access control – managing who can access what
• Malware protection – defending against viruses and malicious software
• Patch management – keeping your software up to date

The whole point is to help you close off the simple security gaps that attackers often exploit, like outdated software, weak passwords, or giving too many people access to sensitive systems.

Many organisations need Cyber Essentials to bid for government contracts or work with larger companies. It also shows your customers and partners that you’re taking cyber security seriously and meeting a recognised standard.

What Is Cyber Essentials Plus?

Cyber Essentials Plus covers all the same ground as the standard version, but there’s one big difference: someone needs to verify your work.

Instead of just reviewing your answers, an accredited assessor carries out hands-on technical testing to verify that your security controls are genuinely in place and working properly.

Here’s what that typically involves:

• Scanning your networks and devices for vulnerabilities
• Checking that all your systems are fully patched
• Making sure your malware protection is active and doing its job
• Verifying that access controls and permissions are set up correctly
• Reviewing device configurations against security best practices

Because there’s actual testing involved, Cyber Essentials Plus gives you (and anyone you work with) much stronger confidence that your security measures are effective.

The Key Difference

The main distinction comes down to one thing: how your compliance is verified.

With Cyber Essentials, you self-assess. If your answers are accurate and meet the requirements, you pass. It’s quicker and more affordable, but it relies on you understanding and implementing the controls correctly.

With Cyber Essentials Plus, an independent expert tests your systems. If they find any weaknesses, you’ll need to fix them before you can get certified. This proves that your controls aren’t just ticked boxes on a form – they’re actually working in the real world.

Cyber Essentials Plus also typically requires more preparation. You might need to sort out configuration issues or deal with older systems that wouldn’t have been flagged in a self-assessment.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice depends on your business size, what sector you’re in, and how much risk you face.

Cyber Essentials might be right for you if:

• You’re a small or growing business
• You need to meet basic contract or insurance requirements
• You want a cost-effective way to improve your cyber security fundamentals

Cyber Essentials Plus might be the better choice if:

• You handle sensitive or personal data
• You work with larger organisations or in the public sector
• You want stronger proof of your cyber security credentials
• You’d like to reduce the risk of failing supplier audits or security reviews down the line

Many businesses start with Cyber Essentials and then move up to Plus as they grow and their cyber security matures. That’s a perfectly sensible approach.

One thing that trips people up: the technical controls are identical in both certifications. The difference is purely about how thoroughly they’re checked. Choosing the wrong level can mean either paying for testing you don’t need, or not meeting the requirements for a contract you’re trying to win (Smart SMS Solutions, 2025).

Why Cyber Essentials Plus Can Be Worth the Extra Effort

Yes, Cyber Essentials Plus takes more work. But it often delivers better value in the long run.

The testing process uncovers issues you might not have spotted yourself – things like inconsistent patching across different devices or configurations that aren’t quite right. Finding and fixing these problems now means you’re less likely to be successfully attacked later.

It also gives your customers, partners, and insurers real confidence that your security has been independently verified, not just self-declared.

From our experience supporting businesses through certification, we often see Cyber Essentials Plus become a turning point that leads to better cyber security habits across the whole organisation.

How We Can Help

Getting ready for either certification can feel daunting if you don’t have technical expertise in-house. That’s where an IT support provider or Managed Service Provider can make a real difference by:

• Reviewing your current security setup
• Identifying what needs to change to meet certification requirements
• Implementing and configuring the controls you need
• Helping you fix any issues before the assessment
• Managing the whole certification process from start to finish

For Cyber Essentials Plus especially, professional support can significantly improve your chances of passing first time and save you a lot of hassle.

Final Thoughts

Both Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus help UK businesses improve their cyber security. Cyber Essentials gives you a solid foundation, while Cyber Essentials Plus provides deeper reassurance through independent testing.

The right choice is about balancing your risk, your compliance needs, and how much confidence you want to demonstrate to others.

If you need help deciding between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus – or getting ready for either one – get in touch with Bluebell IT today.