Your clients are under pressure to handle security risks and prove they’re secure. It could be a contract on the line, a cyber insurance renewal, or a recent scare that’s pushed Cyber Security to the top of the list. So they come to you. You already manage their systems, know their infrastructure inside out — and they trust you to help.
But let’s be honest: your team is already flat out.
- Support tickets, project deadlines, onboarding, patching — the usual.
- Now they’re asking you to take on Cyber Essentials too?
It’s not a quick fix. It takes time, people, and a structured approach — and it doesn’t fit easily into a busy MSP’s day-to-day work.
Should You Do It In-House?
Sure, you could upskill your team, manage the framework, and run the audits yourself.
But that means becoming a certification body, taking on new liability, and adding even more to your already full plate.
Or — you could do something smarter. What if you could offer Cyber Essentials certification to every client who needs it, without delivering it yourself, and without compromising the relationship?
How Does The Model Work?
Partner with a Cyber Essentials provider who does this every day. They handle the delivery, while you remain the trusted face to your client.
It works like this:
• You introduce the client — no paperwork or phone calls needed
• Your partner scopes, supports, and certifies them
• You receive clear updates throughout
• Your client gets their Cyber Essentials certificate, and credits you for making it happen
You keep the relationship. You add value. And you earn a margin.
“Can I Really Trust a Third Party With My Client?”
It’s a fair question — and one worth asking.
You’ve built your business on reliability, responsiveness, and trust. Bringing in a third party cyber advisor, especially one client-facing, means their work reflects directly on you. A poor experience could damage your reputation, and undo years of hard work.
If you’re going to offer Cyber Essentials through a partner, they need to meet a high bar.
Here’s what to look for when looking for a trusted Cyber Essentials assessor:
1. They specialise in Cyber Essentials and Plus— even if they offer other services like pen testing, this should be a core focus, not an afterthought.
2. They’re not an MSP or IT provider — so there’s no risk of crossover or competition. Their role is to support, not replace, your client relationship.
3. They know the process inside out — including the latest changes to the standard, and what it takes to get clients through successfully.
4. They’ve been doing it for a while — not just new to certification, but experienced with a strong track record.
5. They’re listed with IASME on the recognised certification bodies checker and align with national cyber standards, set out by the National Cyber Security Centre.
6. They have solid, verifiable reviews — check Google or Trustpilot, specifically for Cyber Essentials. You don’t want a partner whose poor delivery ends up tarnishing your brand.
7. They offer co-branded or white-label delivery — so your client still sees you as the lead, not someone else.
8. They’re clear and transparent — with regular updates, no surprises, and a clear process from start to finish.
9. They support the full journey — from pre-assessment advice to remediation and final submission to IASME.
The right partner won’t just protect your reputation — they’ll strengthen it. This should feel like an extension of your team, not a risk to it.
Why It Works — For You and Your Clients
Cyber Essentials has become a recognised baseline requirement for small and medium-sized businesses. Whether it’s to win public sector tenders, meet supplier demands, reduce cyber insurance premiums, or simply respond to rising threat levels, your clients are under pressure to prove they take security seriously.
By offering Cyber Essentials through a trusted partner, you give them a clear path to certification — without overloading your team.
For your clients, it means:
- A practical step forward – They get certified with expert guidance, often required to win work or meet compliance demands.
- Reassurance and credibility – Certification helps demonstrate a commitment to Cyber Security to customers, insurers, and suppliers.
- Ongoing value – With annual renewals, they stay up to date and continuously improve their security posture.
For you, it means
- No delivery burden – The work is handled by a specialist, so your team stays focused on core services.
- Recurring revenue – Certification renews yearly, creating a predictable, value-aligned income stream.
- Stronger client relationships – You stay at the centre of the conversation, offering a solution they trust — without becoming a certification body.
- Simplified support – A certified client has a clearer, more secure baseline, making your job easier day-to-day.
You add value, strengthen trust, and grow your services, all without taking on more operational weight.
How to Get Started in 3 Simple Steps
You don’t need to learn how to pitch it. Just offer Cyber Essentials as an optional add-on to your managed service stack — something clients can tick if they need it or leave if they don’t.
If you work with Equilibrium, you’ll get everything you need — co-branded PDFs, service overviews, clear pricing, and support. And if you ever need to bring us into a client call, we’re happy to help explain how it all works.
Here’s how to introduce it:
- New clients – Include it as an optional item in proposals. It shows you’re thinking about Cyber Security from day one
- Renewing clients – Add it as a line item in your renewal proposal. It fits naturally into conversations around risk and maturity
- Existing clients – Mention it during a check-in:
“Some of our other clients have been asked for Cyber Essentials. If that ever comes up for you, we work with a trusted partner who can handle certification quickly and efficiently.”
No pushy sales pitch. Just a helpful option when they need it.
Want to See How It Works in Practice?
Book a quick call. We’ll show you how the partnership works, how it fits into your services, and how to start offering Cyber Essentials certification to your clients — without taking on more delivery.
Ready to achieve your security goals? We’re at your service.
expertise to help you shape and deliver your security strategy.
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