In order to achieve Cyber Essentials Plus, you must already be certified to Cyber Essentials. Gaining the extra qualification will also involve a technical expert conducting an on-site or remote audit on your IT systems, including a representative set of user devices, all Internet gateways and all servers with services accessible to unauthenticated Internet users.
The assessor will test a random sample of these systems, in line with the test specification, and then decide whether further testing is required. Having achieved Cyber Essentials, you have 3 months to apply for Cyber Essentials Plus.
If it is longer than 3 months, you will need to repeat the Cyber Essentials self-assessment questionnaire stage.

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.

