Cyber Essentials is a Government-backed scheme aimed at helping organisations protect themselves against common Internet-based cyber attacks. Certification to Cyber Essentials provides reassurance that your security controls will protect against the vast majority of common cyber attacks, and will act as a significant deterrent to cyber criminals.
The process involved in achieving Cyber Essentials Certification is simple and involves your organisation completing an online self-assessment questionnaire.
You will need to assess your organisation against 5 basic security controls and then get a board member from your organisation to sign a declaration to confirm that all the answers are true.
A qualified assessor will verify the information provided. There are no checks on your IT systems at this level, as such the assessment questionnaire can be accessed and answered quickly and easily.

Mitigating Cyber Risks: Why Cyber Essentials Matters More Than Ever
URM’s blog highlights the growing threat to cyber security in the UK and the importance of the Cyber Essentials scheme in mitigating these risks.
URM’s blog breaks down the latest changes to the Cyber Essentials requirements and outlines why these updates matter for organisations seeking certification.
URM’s blog breaks down key changes to the Cyber Essentials scheme coming into force on 27 April 2026, including the new Danzell Question Set.
URM’s blog explains the recent open letter to suppliers issued by the NHS, what it means, why it matters, and the practical steps you can take to prepare.

