Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus Scheme
Cyber Essentials is a government-backed Cyber Security accreditation scheme that has been developed to ensure an organisation’s systems and data are secured against a range of online threats. It is the recognised standard when it comes to Cyber Security in the UK, embedding best practices across both the private and public sectors.
Cyber Essentials is a highly desirable scheme for organisations to reduce the risk of costly, sometimes catastrophic, cyber-attacks and other threats. It also provides reassurance for customers, suppliers and partners that your organisation is taking security seriously.
Equilibrium Security are one of the few Cyber Essentials Certification bodies within the Midlands. We have been working alongside IASME conducting Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus assessments since 2016.
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How much does Cyber Essentials cost?
If you’re wondering how much the Cyber Essentials certificate costs, then it’s important to remember that this can vary. Much will depend on the size of your organisation and the support you need to achieve certification.
There is no single answer to how much does Cyber Essentials cost. The overall cost is made up of a number of different elements.
These include:
Application Fees
- The first step in obtaining Cyber Essentials certification will involve making an application for the Cyber Essentials questionnaire via a certification body, for which there is a fee. This fee can vary due to the size of the organisation.
Self-Assessment vs Assisted Assessment
- Cyber Essentials certification provides two primary assessment pathways: self-assessment and assisted assessment, each with varying costs and benefits. Self-assessment is typically more economical but is a one-time pass or fail evaluation without guidance for improvement.
On the other hand, assisted assessment involves early engagement with a certified assessor who provides guidance and validation, making it a pricier option but increasing your likelihood of achieving certification on the initial attempt
Certification Level
- The Cyber Essentials scheme has two levels, Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus. The latter level involves a rigorous independent assessment, usually involving on-site testing and verification. Cyber Essentials Plus will incur higher costs than basic Cyber Essentials certification due to the additional resources and scrutiny required for assessment.
Recertification Cost
- A Cyber Essentials certificate is valid for one year. This means that if an organisation want to maintain certification it will need to undergo an annual recertification process. This comes with associated costs which can include application fees, assessment fees, and any additional expenses that may be required.
Additional Expenses
- A range of additional expenses may be incurred during the certification process. This might include the cost associated with implementing security measures or purchasing Cyber Security tools to meet the certification requirements.
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How much is Cyber Essentials:
A Rough Guide
Here is what you might expect to pay to achieve Cyber Essential certification with Equilibrium Security:
For a self-assessed Cyber Essentials basic certificate
*Without remote guidance for certification (where a single submission determines pass or fail, with an added fee for retakes), the prices are:
- Micro Organisations (0-9 Employees) £300 + VAT
- Small Organisations (10-49 Employees) £400 +VAT
- Medium Organisations (50-249 Employees) £450 +VAT
- Large Organisations (250+ Employees) £500 +VAT
Pricing for additional guidance through the certification:
*If you desire guidance throughout the Cyber Essentials process and access to expert advice from a certified consultant, the prices are:
- For additional remote support through the questions, there is an extra charge of £250 +VAT.
- If you require extensive assistance for every response, this results in an additional charge of £500 +VAT.
The cost for Cyber Essentials Plus
- For Cyber Essentials Plus the overall cost can range between £1200 to £4000 +VAT depending on the size of the company and how much support is required throughout the process.
Achieve Cyber Essential certification with Equilibrium Security
Equilibrium Security can help your organisation achieve Cyber Essentials certification in a timely and cost-effective manner.
As one of the few Cyber Essential certification bodies in the Midlands, we have been conducting Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus assessments since 2016.
Contact us to find out more about pricing and how we can help your organisation achieve Cyber Essentials certification.
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